Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Videos in BSL or ISL
Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

ENT wait times for child

Posted By Artoisneo

"ENT wait times for child"

About: Caithness General Hospital / Ear, Nose & Throat

(as a parent/guardian),

We are still waiting for an ENT appointment for my child, 9 months after referral was sent. In this wait, she has completed at least 5 more courses of antibiotics, numerous GP appointments (twice they say they have chased the appointment), missed countless days off school, etc. When she's at school she can barely hear, meaning the longer she waits for help the more her education suffers. Her mood is suffering as teachers shout at her when they think she's not listening, when it's really that she can't hear! Her attendance is now well below recommended, and that's even with forcing her to school in chronic pain. 

This is totally unacceptable waiting times.

We have been told by several GPs that the only thing that will help my daughter now is Grommets. For all I know, by the time that appointment comes around my daughter will have permanent damage. 

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

Responses

Response from Sylvia Fraser, Clinical Governance Facilitator & NHS Highland Operational Lead for Care Opinion, Clinical Governance, NHS Highland 3 months ago
Sylvia Fraser
Clinical Governance Facilitator & NHS Highland Operational Lead for Care Opinion, Clinical Governance,
NHS Highland

I am part of the overall team who manages complaints for NHS Highland and are known as the Feedback Team. We offer patients, relatives, MPs/MSPs, staff and anyone who requires assistance is registering a concern or formal complaint.

Submitted on 23/01/2025 at 09:12
Published on Care Opinion at 09:12

picture of Sylvia Fraser

Dear Artoisneo

Thank you for your post highlighting your concerns regarding the waiting times for your child from ENT services at Raigmore Hospital.

I am sorry that you have had to contact us via this platform to raise your concerns.

I can confirm that following contact with the ENT service regarding your enquiry they have confirmed that there are varying factors depending on what type of referral/appointment your child has had, if they are to be seen by named Care Provider, and which geographical location the appointment is for.

Unfortunately, there is a long wait for an appointment due to the large number of patients on the waiting list.

NHS Highland have recently increased the number of paediatric clinics for those on the list to be seen by Consultant and Audiologist from February 2025 and expect to see a reduction in the waiting time.

We would however encourage you to contact the Feedback Team at nhshighland.feedback@nhs.scot and they can pass your child's details to the service so that they can provide a more specific response for you.

If you would be happy to contact the team they can arrange this. You can also call them on 01463 705997 is this is more convenient. (You can mark this for my attention if you wish and I will review this personally for you)

Once again, please accept our sincere apologies for the pain and distress that these delays are causing to you and your child and for the disruption to their education due to missed days at school.

With kind regards

Sylvia

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