"This is far from the experience one might have hoped for"

Following a referral in May 2024 by my rheumatology physiotherapist for an appointment to Orthopaedics - with regard to osteoarthritis in my hip and knee and assessment and discussion regarding the possibility of joint replacement - neither my rheumatologist nor I heard anything at all. My rheumatologist sent a copy of the original referral in August 2024 and still we heard nothing. I believe that a third copy was sent in late October 2024.  

In March 2025 I eventually received a text message with an absolutely dreadful 'portal'-type link to a new system, probably still Beta testing, which I duly followed. It seemed to relate to the referral but was very unclear. On completing the fields at the link there was no confirmation or any on-screen acknowledgment indicating that my response had been received or logged, so I phoned the orthopaedics department myself. 

They told me that the referral had only reached them in November 2024 and, given that there was a six-month waiting list, I should hear something by May, one year, not six months, from the original referral.

In mid June 2025, during another appointment which I had with the Rheumatology Physiotherapist who had originally made the referral, over a year previously, they phoned the Orthopaedic department and received no answer, so left a voice message.

I have been very happy with the rheumatology department and with my rheumatology physiotherapist, who has been very helpful and understanding.

I have not been at all satisfied with the lack of response from the Orthopaedics service.

My condition has vey significantly deteriorated during the past year and my mobility is very much further impaired, pain and discomfort increased, sleep, mental well-being, emotional state and personal relationships affected etc. and I still have heard nothing regarding the original referral. I'm also aware that, following any appointment with a consultant and on the assumption that any joint replacement is recommended, the waiting list for joint replacements is likely to be significantly long as well.

Not only the long delay but also the lack of communications, to say nothing of the original referral and second copy of same apparently 'going astray somewhere in the system' is far from the experience one might have hoped for.

I did not regard my experience with respect to the service from the Orthopaedics department as at all satisfactory, given that there has been no progress with my referral and no communication from them whatsoever in  13 months.