| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Can you get a Doctors appointment? | |
| Posted by: | Elizabeth Ross | |
| Date/Time: | 27/06/22 18:34:00 |
| I too am registered with this practice and was very please when a couple of months ago I succeeded in getting a face to face appointment with the GP of my choice. I do like her and find she listens and understands how I manage my life. Imagine my frustration at being called the day before to say that my appointment would be a tel.con. How do you demonstrate over the phone line, the problems and pain I am experiencing with both hips. We had our phone call, she was most apologetic and offered to get me an xray. We discussed that this was a waste of time given previous xrays and what was need was an MRI scan. Not allowed you must start with the standard xray. Sure enough I received an invitation to attend CX some weeks ahead but the details were not correct. After confirming with the surgery as to what they had requested, I tried calling CX but the queue was so long that I went to the imaging dept in person. Got the details corrected at the reception desk by a very pleasant person. He then asked if I wished to change my appointment. He told me that they had many no shows and cancellations but if I came at 9am the next morning I would be done and I was. Sadly, I was right as the report was scant and I was told physiotherapy and massage would improve things but I would have to organise and pay for them myself as the waiting list was more than 6 months. I have now cancelled a refurbishment project and gone private. I called on a Thursday and had a meeting with the Consultant the following Tuesday - cost £295. I furnished him with all the records I had of previous xrays and MRI scans and as they were more than 5 years old he recommended new 3T MRI scans of both hips and knees. These were arranged for the following week with a further results consultation for 2 days later. Cost £1,600 plus £195 for second consultation. It was good to know both knees were basically in good order but hips in a sorry state with bursitis, tendonitis and inflammation around lumbar spine which needed another 3TMRI. Next week I go for a final consultation for diagnosis and prognosis and what needs to or can be done. This has all been achieved in a month against a wait of at least 6 months or more for an invitation to the orthopaedic department. The big decisions will come but at least I will know exactly what the problems are with my mobility and the pain. I think it will be wishful thinking that the NHS will help but it will be a discussion I would wish to have with my lovely GP. How sad that the NHS has come to such a sorry state but at the end of the day it is best to follow the self help route in the anticipation that in the near future things will improve. |