Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

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

Weight clinic appointment

Story from nhs.uk

"Weight clinic appointment "

About: Musgrove Park Hospital

I have been seriously struggling with my weight . I have also liver and cardiac problems. Plus high blood pressure. My GP referred me to Musgrave Park hospital weight clinic last November. I received a letter from them in November. They gave appointment reference number and told me that I should wait till end of January 2025 and I should contact them if I didn’t get any correspondence from them. I haven’t heard anything till end of January . Then I followed the instructions and called them. The call wasn’t pleasant. The person was a bit reluctant and dismissive ( having a bad day ?) . I gave my reference number. The person confirmed that the appointment would be for the assessment . Then told me that I need to call them back in January 2028 . 3 years waiting list for an assessment. I seriously don’t know that I will survive 3 years. This is unacceptable. My appointment is not a surgery or serious treatment..it is an assessment. I tried to explain to person on the phone why is this assessment is very important for me. The person answered me very casually; do you want stay on the list or not? Just like she orders a burger and chips. No empathy, kindness or any apology. I was shocked . Still can’t believe. Shame on the hospital and the trust . Sad and angry

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

Responses

Response from Sarah Johnson, Patient Engagement and Involvement Assistant, Patient Engagement, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 4 months ago
Sarah Johnson
Patient Engagement and Involvement Assistant, Patient Engagement,
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 10/03/2025 at 11:38
Published on Care Opinion at 11:38

picture of Sarah Johnson

Dear Patient

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback about your recent experience when contacting the weight clinic to arrange an appointment for an assessment.

I am so very sorry that your call was not a pleasant one and that the person you spoke to was dismissive towards you and that you were not shown any empathy, kindness or given any apology. A 3 year waiting list for an assessment is indeed a very long time to wait and I appreciate how this length of time would be a worry for you and your health.

So that the weight clinic are aware of your experience, I will share your story with them, so they have insight into your situation for their information.

If there is anything further I can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to contact me either here on Care Opinion, or by emailing to patientengagement@somersetft.nhs.uk

Please take care of yourself.

Kind regards

Sarah

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Charlotte Saunders, Senior Operational Manager, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Nephrology, Medical 4 months ago
Charlotte Saunders
Senior Operational Manager, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Nephrology,
Medical

Submitted on 17/03/2025 at 14:11
Published on Care Opinion at 14:13

picture of Charlotte Saunders

Dear Patient

Thank you so much for your feedback, I am very sorry to hear about your recent experience when trying to contact the service about your assessment.

Please be assured that the waiting time for an initial appointment with the weight management team is currently less than a year, I am therefore disappointed that you have been informed incorrectly.

I would be really grateful if you could contact the admin team for the service by emailing endocrinesecretariesmph@somersetft.nhs.uk with your details so that I can look into this for you.

Thank you
Charlotte

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