Has anybody decided to go to the NHS. ombudsman over treatment and received success.

[gordon292]

Have recently sent Email to PALS at my local hospital July 1st but no reply. This was in relation to the fact that a consultant refused to offer me an injection for Sciatica on the grounds that I am on a blood thinning agent. I think his decision is both immoral and unethical because even on the NHS website with regards Dentistry it clearly states that any one expecting to have a tooth or teeth extraction should stop taking the blood thinning agent.

I have in the past ,10 years ago, had 2 injections and also an operation. But 4 years ago the pain came back and I am in excruciating pain all day and every day.

Hope to see some positive replies and many thanks.

[Dancer2021]

I'm afraid the people who need to do this are the forgotten ones who aren't receiving any help and haven't got the strength to do so!

[PainConcernHelpline Moderator Community Champion Pain Concern]

Dear Gordon 292

I am sorry to hear that you are struggling to find help with this and that PALS have failed to reply. Have you tried re-contacting them? In case for some reason your communication was overlooked.

Another alternative could be to contact the CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) to see if they can help you in any way.

A second opinion could be another alternative. You can ask your GP to be referred to another consultant, it doesn't have to be in the same hospital.

Hope this helps you get some progress

Pain Concern

[Imagine1]

Hi Gordon, I am so sorry for your lack of treatment that you were entitled too, I suffered exactly the same as you, Lack of the correct treatment. I went through different channels than you though. I saw a solicitor that took 2 years to eventually tell me that I had not got a case and the National Hopeless Service were denying everything. It took that long that when I eventually spoke to the Ombudsman I was too late and they wouldn't do anything. The biggest problem there was the fact if I had gone to them first instead of the solicitor then they could have sorted it out for me. I think this is shocking treatment once again, It wasn't my fault that it took 2 years for the solicitor to tell me there were no case but I WAS to blame, WHY!. I went to a solicitor to get compensation to pay for private treatment because I will never trust the NHS ever again. The answer to your question is as long as you don't leave it to long to get in touch with the Ombudsman then you should be okay and they could possibly help you. You have a year from the date you couldn't get the injection. I hope this helps you in some way. Please let me know how you get on.

[katieoxo60]

Hi gordon292, sorry to hear PALS have not replied to your letter. As I understand it Pals no longer offer such a service due to changes in NHS structure. However you cannot go to ombudsman till you have exhausted all other resolution options. Healthwatch offer assistance to do this , but remember this is a clinical decision which would normally have to be taken up with the clinician, you can also contact NHS England in respect of this basic medical option not being available to you now. Their details can be found on healthwatches web site . Local CAB services have most of the details. PALS should have been able to provide contacts even if not in the services they provide. The clinical reason given makes it hard to challenge but not impossible. You have a good reason for it on the grounds it worked in the past for you which comes under whats best for patient . A reminder all these varied departments only deal with poor administration & official complaints about service. Unfortunately none of these systems is easy to deal with due to the complexity of the NHS and most take a long time to reply, but there are time limits on reply and possibly your contact with PALS has gone astray . in some places PALS letters end up in the official complaints pile which takes even longer for reply. If they cannot reply they are supposed to inform you in writing of delay or why they cannot deal with it.Good Luck

[gordon292 in reply to katieoxo60]

Many thanks katieoxo60. Last Monday I jumped on the bus to the local hospital and found to my surprise there was a PALS office right by the information desk. I knocked on the door which was answered by a very nice young lady. When I asked if my Email sent July 1st was still in the in tray she went back in to the office and came back and said she could not find it. She then asked me if I would resend it and at the same time include my phone number. She said she would phone me and she kept her word. She then told me she would see what she could do and would phone me mid week. Well she phoned me on Thursday and asked me if I would agree to a face to face with the consultant. Now although I said yes I am now thinking that this is going to be quite daunting as I am at a very big disadvantage and the consultant holds all the aces. Now with regards this consultant not only in my opinion was his reason for not giving me an injection unethical but I firmly believe I upset him at one point because he prescribed for me Pregabalin and said he was confident it would help me. As I was leaving the room I told him that I wish I could share his confidence and I think he may have taken offence even though none was intended.

Once again many thanks and after I have seen this consultant I will give an update.

[katieoxo60 in reply to gordon292]

That is fine at least its moving forward. The consultant cannot put your medical health at risk because your opinions differ on possible outcome. But I appreciate your apprehension, best wishes and I look forward to hearing from you after you have seen him.

[Cal66]

I have just checked on Google, it states that you should discuss it with your doctor. However, it also says that because at the injection site you will bleed and bruise you may be told to come off your blood thinners several days before injection. You really need to discuss this with your consultant. If you are having problems with him/her Pals may act as a go between, good luck and hope that you feel better soon.

[Judo1010]

I have used Pals on two occasions, and found them to be helpful.

[onamission]

I was having these injections 4 times a year then they sent the doctor over to the other hospital we have had several Doctors since but none of them stay and the doctor who moved to the other hospital stayed 6 months and went private. I contacted pals the pain clinic phoned me and said they no longer have a doctor qualified to do the injections I need this is the fault of bad management and this is happening up and down the country it's the managers who have put the nail in the coffin of the NHS