Hospital appointment delays.

[Amabile]

I just wondered what the average wait in the U.K. is for a gastro hospital appointment. Here in Tayside it can be up to SIX MONTHS. People's regular appointments are being put back by months.

[Cimmy]

Hey Amabile, I'm in Essex and I have an urgent gastro hospital appointment and it in mid July😔😔😔😔, so they have told me to ring every week and see if they have any cancellations. So all in all 6 months seem about right. 

[Amabile in reply to Cimmy]

Hi Cimmy, thanks for your reply. My appointment isn't urgent - just as well. The cancelled regular appointments are quite upsetting for some as their conditions are often quite serious.

[Danslatete]

I'm in tayside and it's not just gastrology that's affected unfortunately

[Amabile in reply to Danslatete]

Hi Danslatete

Thanks for your reply. Quite depressing for people with serious conditions.

[pseudenim]

Hi, im in Huddersfield and my gastro doc works in Huddersfield/Calderdale/Halifax hospitals, so with those three options the earliest I can get is in two months at Calderdale. So 6 months sounds average - maybe see if your doc works at other hospitals and if theres open appointments there

[Amabile]

Hi, thanks for your reply.  I hoped the situation was better in England. Obviously not.

[bburzycki]

Well I need to shut up with my complaining about a 4 to 6 week wait for some previous testing. 

[KirstieG]

Hi there. I'm in Berkshire/Surrey/Hampshire junction and our local NHS services are spread across three county authorities... I had to wait about 6 months for a referral but have now been waiting over 9 months for a follow up appt.

[Amabile in reply to KirstieG]

Hi KirstieG

I thought NHS Scotland was bad it seems it's a lottery when you get appointments anywhere in the U.K.

best wishes

[cassie17]

What I usually  do now if Its something i'm really worried about is ask to pay private for the referral(usually about £150) and then any tests the consultant will do on nhs,usually can get the referral in a week or so then,

[Cimmy in reply to cassie17]

Hi cassis, who do you ask for a private referral???. I have another appointment with my doctor tomorrow and would like to be seen earlier than July. I thought it was a lot more expensive than that, and would like to follow it up... Thank you

[cassie17]

you just ask your gp,,just say could you refer me for a private appointment,it is well worth the cost,and any tests ive had done they have always done through nhs,good luck x

[Amabile in reply to cassie17]

Hi cassie17

Thanks for your reply. I'll think about going private if I don't hear from them soon. I've done that for other health issues and they're ususally quite thorough. The IBS is not too bad at the moment.

best wishes

[gfmum1]

At my local hospital in the north west the wait is less than 2 months, so not bad compared to others I think! 

A word of caution re private appointments - not all consultants will see you for the first appointment privately then switch to the NHS for tests. Some do, some don't, you need to ask what their policy is. 

[cassie17 in reply to gfmum1]

I must be lucky then,ive seen 5 for different reasons and they all have without me asking,the same with friends and relatives.

[gfmum1 in reply to cassie17]

Yes, I think you are! See Hobbies' answer below, which echoes my experience, too.

[Amabile in reply to gfmum1]

Hi

Some GP's also make you sign a form to say that you agree to future treatments recommended by the consultant as being chargable.

[gfmum1 in reply to Amabile]

Thankfully I've never come across that one, although it's a while since we've needed to pay privately.

[Hobbies]

I agree with gfmum1. Be cautious, I too live in North West Wirral in fact. I rang my local Spires hospital for the cost depending on the Consultant depends on the cost. £150-250. The blood tests cost the most  as I was informed by the clerk. I emailed the Spires with details & they rang me back with Info. No matter which way you go you'll still need a referral faxed to your Private Hospital. 

I rang the Consultants Secretary & when I was seen for my 1st Apt she said it's an average of 3months. That's 12months ago, but with the Doctors Strikes the Apt's for O.P.D are all pushed back.

Anyway armed with is info you can hopefully get seen sooner, see your GP & if you feel you need an Urgent Apt ask for one.

I did I have to say, ring the Apt's Dept on a very regular.

Good luck

Jackie