In true fighting style, Ive spent the entire morning on the phone with various representatives of the NHS. I think we came to a stale-mate at about the 9th call, and what lies between us now is a metaphorical No Mans Land. This is the bizarre thing that set me off this morning. Last week, I cancelled my physio appointment, scheduled for this today, online, stating my reason as yet to see a consultant...and Id quite like to discuss it before we proceed. I checked the would like to reschedule box otherwise Id be struck from the list and have to go through a new referral = more time. Guess what? Got a text and they rescheduled it for 7.30am on Monday. This Monday. So I went to my voice box and selected my best sarcastic one and made the call to reception at the hospital. They put me through to physio. The receptionist there wasnt qualified to discuss the matter, so I was quickly upgraded to head of department. She was great (no sarcasm in that statement) and I told her the entire story. I was a tad sarcastic when I mentioned that I thought it a little odd that the appointments desk had assumed a consultant would see me between Friday late morning and crack of sparrows on Monday. And thanked her for the potential 5am start, not that that was really a problem...more a joke. Anyway, she said it wasnt worth coming in until Id seen a consultant, and was I aware I was seeing one on Wednesday. I told her that will be cancelled due to loss of faith in said consultant, and I have been referred elsewhere. She gave me a direct line to the physio department and said to call when I was ready. She also advised me to call PALs (the Patient Advice and Liaison services) to see if they can push things along. Thanks to Antonina Bickerton for also mentioning this. So I then called to cancel the physio appointment. And then called to cancel the consultant. Then I called PALs. Voicemail, so left my details. Got a call back but just missed it. Called them back and the nice lady listened to my story before saying that they only deal with that hospital and have no jurisdiction over private hospitals, even if the patient is NHS. I thanked her and hung up. Money really does get things done for you. I must check my lottery for last Tuesday. Nope, didnt win £11m. On to plan B. And hes not answering his phone... No idea where to go from here. I think I may have to be the first person in history to treat their Achilles tendon rupture using Google alone. I can write a report for The Lancet... Enjoy the sun :)
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:26:27 +0000
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