Care Opinion

Appointment waiting times

Posted By epilepsysufferer

"Appointment waiting times"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / Neurology

(as the patient),

I have epilepsy and IN february I was referred to neurology to see a specialist regarding medication after phoning them they advised a 6 week wait that came then it was an 8 weeks wait, then it was 12 weeks wait then a 16 weeks wait, then it went all way up to 24 weeks.

I suffered from a bad seizure which I could have been badly injured from contacted the doctor again who changed the referral to urgent now after 2 weeks I have been told there is an 8 week wait again for an URGENT referral, to the point am stressing about my epilepsy all the time, not good NHS! ! Feeling like there has got to be a major injury before anyone cares.

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Responses

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 10 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 26/06/2014 at 14:11
Published on Care Opinion at 15:41

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear epilepsysufferer,

I agree this is a very long time and certainly not one to be happy with. The current waiting time for a new, routine appointment for this is around 24 weeks.

May I assure you that we do care very much.

There is good news for the future although it may not help you immediately. It has been recognised that the service is not coping with the demand and two changes have been put in place to address the problem. Firstly, to deal with the back-log and prevent the situation getting worse, additional weekend sessions have been taking place.

Secondly, funding has been agreed to employ a new consultant for Neurology. The post has been advertised but it has not yet been filled.

In the meantime, please contact appointments on 01563 827070 in case there is a cancellation available. Feel free to call them as regularly as you wish, every day if need be.

I am very sorry you have had such a long wait and you have been stressed about it all. I do hope you get an appointment soon and your medication sorted out. Hopefully once the new consultant is in post, we will get back on an even keel with appointments and no-one will need to wait so long again.

Kind regards,

Eunice

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Update posted by epilepsysufferer (the patient)

There might be a waiting list but as I stated it is getting severe and not fair on my 3 year old having to watch it when someone could be helping or medication. I have to take days off work in which I lose money. Every time I phone the appointments they have hit me with a bigger waiting list its not right at all I just need answers

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 10 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 30/06/2014 at 10:39
Published on Care Opinion at 10:53

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear epilepsysufferer,

I can only try to understand how this is affecting you, your family and your life and again can I say I am sorry that you have experienced such delay and trauma.

Would you be prepared to contact me on my personal email address eunice.goodwin@aapct.scot.nhs.uk or call me on 01563 826222? If you contact me, can you please let me know your Community Health Index Number (CHI number) and your name? Or if you do not have your Chi number, your date of birth and your address and I can look into your particular situation and try to resolve it for you. Your details will be kept in confidence.

I hope this is helpful to you,

Kind regards,

Eunice

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