Report on waiting times in Scotland

[cathie]

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-...

I wrote a longer blog which has just disappeared, but this info may be of interest to those of us in Scotland.

[earthwitch]

Its interesting to read the Orkney report, though I really don't think it actually says a lot. Its only about first appointments for a start, so doesn't identify how many folk have incredible difficulty getting follow up, or give up on being seen in follow up. For a second thing, it doesn't identify how many people get seen within time frames, but not actually by the most appropriate specialist clinic - for example the first time I was seen by rheumatology when it should have been an inflammatory arthritis specialist, I got seen at the clinic that usually deals with osteoporosis and hip and knee replacements, and the guy wasn't at all interested in inflammatory arthritis. For a lot of other specialities they have just a really generic "medical" clinic, and gastro stuff seems to get seen initially by surgeons. Also I have been referred for a neurosurgical opinion, but I'm likely to get seen first by a neurologist - again the wrong area of specialism. So all that means that target get met, but patients don't get ideal assessment.

I think in Orkney too, the delays due to patient unavailability really mask a bigger problem - lack of clinics in Orkney. Its all very well being offered an appointment in Aberdeen, but when you live on one of the smaller isles it can be 3 nights away from home - not something you can do if you are a farmer, or even just working full time, or have children. That means a lot of folk will "choose" to wait till the next Orkney Clinic, but how much of a choice is it? I think all those folk who can't get down to Aberdeen and back in a day for an appointment should be recorded as not meeting wait list times if they can't be offered an appointment in Orkney.

But thats statistics for you.

[cathie]

Quite - I think its useful to have this account, its always possible to find a way of responding and drawing attention to the sort of things you refer to.

[earthwitch in reply to cathie]

Yes, its definitley given me some points to start formulating other questions about. I'm down to see the PASS person here about doing a freedom of information enquiry about the state of rheumatology services in Orkney, so its a good starting point

[cathie]

Good move

[Hidden]

I only read the scant report rather than the full one and I called them 'fibbers', as both you and Tilda have mentioned so many times on here that you are unable to see any Consultant as they remove you from your lists. Definitely send the request in on Freedom of Information. Can I suggest you tailor your request to more specfics rather than the whole service as time is limited for response and you may not get the picture you requested. Only saying from experience in working at a County Council, when we received them when they were not tailored it made our lives difficult to see what the actually requested. Also they have to pass muster with the lawyers in case it's used for any purpose. Like you suing for that appointment you so deserve.

[cathie]

I dont want to end the year on a negative note, but just want to say that when I put up the report I didnt intend to suggest that anyone should go to court over this. My point of view is that we need/want a health service that works. Not to be drained by expensive law suits which only really benefit the lawyers.