Where do I go from here?

[Nonameme]

Patient NHS No:

Referral No:

Referral Date:

Response Date:

15/02/2024

15/02/2024

FAO GP:

From Consultant:

Gynaecology

Re:

- 18/07/1946

Consultant Advice: Many thanks for referring this 77-year-old lady to gynaecology. I

understand she has a vaginal pessary which is overdue for change.

The NHS Trust has now requested that all referrals for pelvic

organ prolapse or urogynaecology problems are directed through the

Urogynaecology DOS to be managed directly by the trust, therefore I

would be grateful if this lady could be re-referred by this pathway.

Thank you for your help.

Kind regards

Outcome for Discharge to GP with Advice/Management Plan

Gynaecology:

The patient is being discharged to the care of the GP, as their case has

now had a specialist clinical review and advice, guidance or a

management plan has been developed.

Investigations: No investigation ordered

A service provided by

1

Yours sincerely

Consultant Gynaecologist

Signed electronically

• your Name

• your Medefer Referral Number

• the format that you would prefer

For large print, include the font size and the font type you need.

A service provided by

The letter above has just today landed in my GP notes

I am several weeks beyond the date on which my pessary should have been removed and replaced.

It has moved and it’s causing me great distress with regards to both passing water and faeces and is extremely uncomfortable and painful.

I waited four weeks for an appointment to see my GP who had written last week to department asking them to change and remove this pessary and this is the response they have received although no one has officially passed this information on to me

So as the heading states where to from here?

[Beezwax]

So sorry to hear about this. Unfortunately as with many NHS services now this is a complete disgrace. You should find some complaints body to help you, for example HealthWatch, which is an organisation that might help or at least point you in the right direction.

I was referred for some tests (not IBS related) by my GP and it took months and months to be seen. They referred me to one place (private facility that the NHS outsources to) only to get an appointment and also a rejection (ie appointment cancelled) on the same day. I was shunted back to my GP, no explanation given. Then GP referred me to local hospital. I was very pleased to be sent an appointment booking but within a week received a letter saying it had been deemed inappropriate to see me, appointment cancelled and no further appointment would be booked but I should ask my GP for an explanation (hours on phone to book GP appointment, telephone call back but came through when I had specifically said I was working, my job doesn’t allow use of phones, told to text my request…ring again please at time requested, they rang again at random time, so couldn’t answer, then told my GP appointment would need to be rebooked…really couldn’t be bothered…). Finally I received a referral appointment to a different place. I fully expected that to be cancelled too but it wasn’t. I was finally seen. I can’t comment on the quality of the tests, I was not impressed but at least I was seen! They said I needed to be seen at the hospital….so I am back on the “merry go round” again and I am not holding my breath. I am now contemplating going private, which I guess is what all this has been about…forcing as many patients down that route as possible.

Good luck with trying to get this sorted. If it is causing you a lot of pain and difficulty with going to the toilet, you might have an infection or be at risk of one. Maybe try A&E. They might be able to do something or at least get things moving. Just a suggestion.

[Nonameme in reply to Beezwax]

Thank you for your good wishes and I am so sorry you too are going through such a bad time. I have ‘gone private’ on 2 occasions now with mixed results. One brilliant at least with people skills was brilliant. He asked if I had insurance at first consultation and when I said no he transferred me back onto NHS as urgent under his care so all tests within 3 months. Did not solve problems which I later diagnosed, correctly myself! Have yet to inform him!

Back to present had thought I might have heard from GP by now with a plan but nothing and yes I have had an untreated infection for a few weeks. Will update as and when.

[Aprilbaby24 in reply to Nonameme]

It is so distressing hearing about how many people are suffering with pelvic pain, and not being heard!!! I’m in my second year now and just get “ chronic pelvic pain, we don’t know why”. I’ve been directed to talking therapies now. I sincerely hope you get some relief from your symptoms/ pain.

[Nonameme in reply to Aprilbaby24]

So sorry to hear you are suffering as well. I have still not heard as to when I might get some help and relief maybe I will have to go into sepsis with the untreated infection before any help is available.If tears of pain were money I would be a millionaire by now.