Why is dealing with the NHS so B****y difficult??

[knitwitty]

I just need to have a rant for a minute! Or 10!!

I saw an endocrinologist 3 weeks ago, I was told I could have my bloods done at my GP's surgery and take them along to the hospital for analysis, so that I could have them done first thing in the morning. The GP surgery did not have the correct blood sample tubes but they rang around all the other local surgeries to see if they had them, no such luck, so they sent me to the local hospital to get the bloods done.

When I got there e the refused to let me take away the samples even though I explained why I wanted to take them to the hospital I was visiting further afield later.They said I could inform the other hospital where I had had the bloods taken and they would be available that afternoon.

I rang the endocrinologists secretary and the endocrinology nurse to say what I had done when I got home and left messages ( no one ever answers the phones ) saying BT results would be available that afternoon before I saw the consultant.

When I arrived at the hospital I again said that my BT results would be available if the department phoned the hospital to ask for them.

I saw the consultant and guess what no one had my results, the consultation was a waste of time, still being told that quality of life is not a good enough reason to prescribe T3, Consultant did say he would plead my case to the CCG,of course if I was willing to go private everything is available.

After waiting 2 weeks I rang the department to find out if I was going to get my results and a letter about the CCG decision, only to be told they hadn't got any BT results from my GP so I explained again that I had had the bloods taken at the local hospital, however the consultant had written the letter ( I wonder how he could make a judgement without seeing any Blood results!!!) They said they would chase up the BT results.

Another week has passed so I phoned again and left a message, they called back they had the results but there are no ranges included, so I asked how the could interpret the results with out ranges , not prepared to comment on that, my GP might be able to get the results but too late to call them.

I rang the hospital where I had the bloods taken to see if the pathology lab would give me the ranges for specific tests as they had not been included in the results sent to the endocrinologist, absolutely not , under no circumstances, it might worry me and I would be unable to interpret them.

The endocrinology dept. said it might take another week for me to get the letter and the incomplete results because everything is sent out second class.

Why is it so bloody difficult dealing with these people.

I have managed to get some T3 and was hoping to start taking it, I was just waiting ( like anybody sensible would do) to find out my levels before starting it, I could weep with frustration.

Apologies for the long rant but I just had to get it off my chest!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Exactly why so many thousands of members get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing privately via Medichecks or Blue Horizon

Very likely they didn't even do all tests requested

Many many CCG areas not interested in getting anyone's FT3 tested......not even the patients already prescribed NHS T3

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

[SilverAvocado in reply to SlowDragon]

That's the even worse ending to this story, Knit witty might finally track these results down and find that freeT3 just hadn't been done

[NWA6]

😡 just so bloody infuriating 😩 I’m so sorry for you. The NHS is a wonderful organisation in so many ways but the left hand just doesn’t know what the rights doing 😔

[Minimol]

Sadly, no longer fit for purpose

[AlisonL]

Oh my goodness, I'm not surprised you feel frustrated! I've had similar issues because I see a consultant in a different area to my GP so can sympathise completely. I know it's a massive organisation and there are many good things about the NHS, but this sort of thing is not their strong point. Hope you get something sorted soon x

[knitwitty]

Thank you to all of you I had to go out so couldn't reply earlier.

Slowdragon, I have paid for many blood tests before but as all the most useful tests were included on the form from the endocrinologist I assumed that they wouldn't be ignored this time unlike when my GP requested antibodies, T3 and various vitamins etc...

I shall have to wait until the letter comes to see exactly what has been tested, even though there will be no ranges!

I shall of course now go and badger my gp surgery for the full results to be sent out as they may be able to access them, what a waste of time and money!

I shall probably have to have a private test done in the end I just hoped that I could avoid the extra cost on this occasion, obviously I placed too much faith in the system.

A few months back I managed to get my levothyroxine on 3 monthly prescriptions instead of 1 month at a time, I asked why would the surgery go to the time and trouble to prescribe 12 times a year when they could save time and money and do it only 4 times, I can understand why intermittent medication is prescribed in smaller amounts but lifelong medication one month at a time baffles me somewhat. My own mother gets her repeat prescriptions for levothyroxine one month at a time and that involves 12 monthly deliveries per year, 12 checked scripts and 12 dispensing charges, how in heavens name can that be cost effective for a lifelong medication?

As you have all pointed out the NHS does some things wonderfully but it is sadly lacking in many ways and I cannot see things improving anytime soon. We do seem to have two different systems running alongside each other and unless you can pay insurance costs or you are very well off very often you CAN be fobbed off, ignored or left to fend for yourself.

When I do get some blood test results I shall be back to ask for advice on starting on T3.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, I'm still fuming though!

[MULLIONAIRE]

You can ask for full details of blood tests from the hospital lab under the Freedom of Information Act. Usually the hospital will have some details on their website of the procedure you need to follow. Good luck, trying to get help from the NHS is a minefield.

[knitwitty in reply to MULLIONAIRE]

Thanks for replying, I know I'm entitled to copies of my blood tests. What floored me yesterday was the refusal to even give out the ranges never mind my results!

I'm sure my GP surgery will be able to track the full results down, but what a waste of time and money.

I could hardly believe my ears when the endocrinology department didn't even ask for the ranges with my blood test results, because as everyone knows you can't interpret the the results without them. It is almost as if they had made their minds regarding my treatment without knowing all the information and that could never happen could it!!!

As you can probably guess I haven't calmed down yet :).

Thanks again for everyone's responses, at least on this forum you don't feel as though you're banging your head against a brick wall!! :)