"Frustrated and concerned for my husband’s future treatment"

As lifelong supporters of the NHS, very appreciative of care given over our lifetimes by several specialisms, my husband and I find our loyalty and opinion severely challenged by our now 5 year wait to have an issue with my husband’s hand being diagnosed and treated. Awaiting an operation and in pain, there have been numerous delays resulting in further deterioration in his condition through poor communication within the department and breakdowns in liaison with other specialisms. 

For the most part, the medical staff with whom we have come in contact have been caring and professional but their treatment plans have been thwarted repeatedly by lack of opportunities to consult together and communicate efficiently with colleagues and with other departments involved in my husband’s health issues. 

A year ago his condition was finally diagnosed, an operation recommended and pre-admission procedures completed pending interdepartmental consultation in relation to medication for his ongoing health issues. We still await a date for this operation which we had been advised would be carried out imminently.

We recently attended for an outpatient appointment, as a result of which the need for an operation has been confirmed by two consultants working together but numerous outstanding tests still require to be carried out related to other aspects of his health which may have deteriorated in the meantime. Information required, should have been readily available. Should concerns be identified, these could have  been treated and averted over this intervening period had there been more efficient systems in place for dealing with complex cases requiring  effective collaborative working. 

We remain frustrated and concerned for my husband’s future treatment and deteriorating health. 

It appears to us that the issue here is with departmental management systems rather than with medical treatment.