Who to contact

[katieoxo60]

Now the lockdown is being eased , does anyone know who I contact to find out what is happening in respect of treatment for people who have been deferred from the treatment list due to coronavirus.? My local newspaper says the list is short of those been waiting for more than a year, and they will be dealt with first, I was referred in May 2019 for investigations, and passed to orthopeadics in JUly 2019 I was due for operation on 23rd of March 2020 which was cancelled due to virus. Since which time I have been treated like a mental health patient and received no upto date details about when my care will be resumed at the hospital. However the local newspaper says care on backlog patients has been resumed in my area. I need a replacement knee op and can no longer walk even with a walker but the hospital is not aware of the detterioration since they last saw me in November 2019. Would appreciate advice on this matter before I take the matter further. Any help appreciated.

[SquirrelsHolt]

Good morning to you Katieoxo60 and how troubled you sound due to the cancellation of your op on 23 May 2020 and subsequently the complete breakdown of communication from the hospital's side. Very bad management- they need a kick up the rear end or more like a stick of good old fashioned dynamite to kick start the fiasco that is messing up all operations since Feb/March this year😡😠. To state the obvious, you have tried your Consultant, his/hers Secretary, Head of Dept that your operation is in the hands of and most likely, many more. Does your own Doctor know which is the best way to accelerate your place in the queue? Doctor's can be very useful if they can send a particularly stern letter to your hospital Consultant/surgeon, pointing out how your knee has now made you completely immobile and the pain is now unexpectedly so bad you are at your wits end etc etc.

You've probably done all of the above and more but you've got to be persistant with a capital P. Good luck, don't give up and come back if you have some luck.🐿🌈

[katieoxo60 in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Thanks Squirrel Holt, I have been on independent ages site, and that says all ops were cancelled from the 15th of April for 3 months. Taking it to 15th July. But it was announced on the 18th May that backlog ops and appointments were restarting and my newspaper this morning says there are only a few ops that have been waiting for more than 12 months. As for my Gp he says they cannot do anything for me till the Hospital does my operation easy cop out, another GP says they have done everything that can be done medically another cop out. Can't complain as complaints like ops are on hold. I strongly object to being treated as if I have a mental health issue when it is sheerly frustration with the system, my GP has examined my knee since December and accepts its not drepression but is not doing anything to change matters. Will let you know if I have any joy. Enjoy your day.

[katieoxo60 in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Just an update pals have responded and hospital I am top of list but they are still only doing emergencies no routine care thanks for your reply

[SquirrelsHolt in reply to katieoxo60]

Morning katieoxo60 and I'm happy to read that you've had a response from PALS and that your name IS at the top of their list. I have to say that the majority of folk in similar positions & with equally debilitating conditions, probably are not being so resilient and have not kept the pressure on the medic's. So well done you,because I know how difficult it can be and that's without the COVID-19 situation.

Again, you'll keep us uptodate and have a day of relaxation (if the pain allows you to even do that?). Best wishes, 🐿🌈

[katieoxo60 in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Thank you for reply I will let you know how things go. Hope the extended sheilding does not slow things up again.

[cyberbarn]

Hi, it sounds like this might be a job for PALS!

Go to the website of the hospital trust where your orthopaedic surgeons are, and find their PALS contact details. PALS stands for Patient Advice and Liaison Service, although some trusts now call it something else. They are the go to people for sorting things out. They will have the information about waiting lists, they will be able to look into what is going on with your case, and if necessary sort something out for you.

But they may be busy at the moment as there will be lots of patients needing their help, and most of the staff in PALS will have been moved over to other jobs and will only just be getting back to their usual positions. For example the associate director for Patient and Public Engagement (PPE) at my trust (the department that over sees PALS) was tasked with organising PPE for the whole trust. So her job when from PPE to PPE, but of a different kind!

[katieoxo60 in reply to cyberbarn]

Yes thats who I have in Mind , but if you query with them you end up labled as complaining. My Gp can't even do electronic prescriptions till the 6th July due to computer changes I am informed this morning. I will get in touch with pals as I have nothing to loose . People who are sheilding are not supposed to be denied medical care if its needed and routine ops & appointments were reinstated in May. The hospital dealing with my care are supposed to contact me and inform me of when my care will be reinstated , Sorry but thats the facts thank you for the suggestion. Enjoy your day.

[cyberbarn in reply to katieoxo60]

I know what you mean about being worried about being labeled a complainer. Sometimes you don't even have to make a complaint for them to assume you are complaining! What I tend to do now when I ring PALS is say I have a problem, can you help me sort it out. That makes it sound less judgemental.

Last time I did that it was PALS that actually suggested I make a formal complaint, and I knew that if PALS suggested it, the complaint had more of a chance of being taken seriously.

[katieoxo60 in reply to cyberbarn]

I have had a reply from pals and the care team. I am top of list but my hospital is still only doing emergencies no routine care or ops.

[cyberbarn in reply to katieoxo60]

I am really pleased you at least know where you stand and that you haven't just been dropped off the list. I am sure that things will be moving long soon. Sometimes staff on the front line don't get the information until the last minute. for example when the GP surgery rang me up to make an appointment I said surely that will be a telephone appointment, we will be in lockdown next week, and she assured me that they would be continuing with face to face appointments. A few days later I got the phone call to say that it was now a telephone appointment!

So hopefully once the hospital have rearranged things, you turn will come soon.

[katieoxo60 in reply to cyberbarn]

Hopefully things will start moving soon fingers crossed no more spikes of the virus. Thank you for your replies.