DaveH
Striker
Then consider what the likes of the Daily Mail and a current Reform policy is, about cutting admin in the NHS. People don't like the idea that any NHS money goes on people that are not medical staff. But when you slash that, you have dirty buildings which are falling apart and consultants spending their time trying to do admin rather than treat people. A really good admin person would have that sorted in minutes.I've been waiting months for an appointment after referral to a specialist about a health issue. I got a phone call from the hospital yesterday saying a consultant had looked at my notes and he wanted to speak to me. I arranged a phone call this afternoon.
He rang and said I've been referred to the wrong department. He told me the correct department. He can't transfer me and said I need to go back to the GP and request a new referral to the correct department.
I've rang the GP. The receptionist cannot take details of this over the phone. I have to fill in a online e-consult and explain what has happened, only all the online spaces are full today so it's currently offline. I've got to try logging on at 8am tomorrow morning, but it might take a few goes as they only have limited slots and the website gets overloaded. If I get on and find it's full, I just have to keep trying every day until I manage to fill a form in. I did ask why she couldn't take the details over the phone and was told "this is our new way of working".
Once the GP has looked at it, I'll hopefully get referred but I'll have to wait several months again for an appointment with correct department.
I had something a few years ago where I needed a scan. After months of waiting a date came through when I was booked to be on holiday. So I called the number, they said they would arrange a new appointment and a new letter would come out (they could not give me a slot over the phone). Nothing came so I called up to check. The person had cancelled the appointment rather than set to rearrange, so I was noted declining treatment.
When I called they said I would need to start the process again, because I had pretty much fallen off that track. I wrote to patient services pointing out that a mistake by a single person was going to be me using a GP slot to say I still have a problem, please refer me. Then I'd be referred and go to the same consultant who would waste an appointment saying I needed a scan and then I'd be back on the waiting list for a scan 6 months later. Each state would add to their waiting lists and waste medical staff time because of one mis-click. To their credit they called me within a day, acknowledged it was their mistake and the process was stupid, could I come for a scan that weekend.
It is worth seeing if there is a patient services or something you can write to and spell out every step of the process they are making you jump through, say "or you could just do this...", point out that you are an intelligent person and although it is frustrating you can deal with it but fear that elderly and more vulnerable people might not get treatment because of complicated processes.