This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Please be more empathetic"

About: Royal Victoria Hospital / Ear, Nose & Throat

(as a service user),

I attended a Consultation recently for ENT following a three year wait, and I was so grateful for the appointment.  Unfortunately the appointment lasted ten minutes, I was told that they could not find a cause of my symptoms which are daily, I was told nobody could, and that I should be grateful I do not have anything seriously wrong with me.  I had a brief medical history taken and interrupted on numerous occasions.  

The feedback I want to provide and the take home for the Trust is that regardless of why a patient is on a waiting list, regardless of the time on the waiting list, please listen to them, please understand that sometimes not being able to give a reason for symptoms and health issues is hard to hear.  It is great there is nothing serious, but also being told to just accept it and move on whenever there is a daily management of symptoms and the hope was this appointment could shed light on that is difficult to hear, please be more empathetic of the disappointment for patients.  

I don't expect apologies for the waiting times which are utterly shocking, because it is not the fault of the staff, but understand that some people have been waiting in hope for a long time, they have been waiting for an answer that they hoped they would get.  

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Eugene Douglas, Assistant Services Manager, ENT Burns & Plastics, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 3 weeks ago
Eugene Douglas
Assistant Services Manager, ENT Burns & Plastics,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 17/05/2024 at 17:15
Published on Care Opinion on 18/05/2024 at 09:32


Dear bargindw39,

My name is Eugene Douglas Assistants Service Manager for ENT, Burns & Plastics.

I am thankful for your taking time to provide us with your feedback via care opinion regarding ENT within BHSCT. I am very sorry that you have had a poor experience within this service.

Level 8C is extremely busy outpatient department and appointment times are restricted to ensure all patients can be seen and assessed. However I apologise you felt you were not listened too at your consultation. I will share your feedback with the team in order to review, reflect and improve communication.

I hope this response will provide you with reassurances. I don't have your details from the information provided but you can contact me directly via email below to provide me with your contact details to discuss this further if you wish.

Eugene.Douglas@belfasttrust.hscni.net

Kind Regards

Eugene

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k