"Left on a medication change"

Under Endocrinology at Vale of Leven Hospital. I was on a medication change for hypothyroid. I was due a review to check my blood levels and symptoms. I had received a cancellation letter stating I would get another appointment.

A month later, I heard that the consultant had left post and no replacement was appointed. I had to call secretaries myself through my own effort and received a nurse appointment.

I used the complaints service NHSGGC to express my concerns, this was not helpful as they pretty much just reiterated my complaint and said that I have a nurse now, neglecting the fact that was my own effort and if I had not chased it up I would still not have had any follow up, when at the time I was overmedicated.

I had to contact the thyroid council to ask about my blood reference ranges and symptoms.  I was advised and it is clear on my bloods and by symptoms that I was overmedicated, I was told in the response to my complaint that it may be something else, another condition. The symptoms started when bloods shown overmedication and they are classic hyperthyroid (overmedication) symptoms.

To feel dismissed with the response is an understatement. I was extremely concerned that the complaints team said that NHSGGC do not follow any protocols for hypothyroidism and treatment, which raises the question of professional standards.

I am concerned for other patients that may be in a similar situation who do not have follow ups and may not know how to get assistance.

To my knowledge there is still no replacement endocrinologist at VOL hospital, and the patient list should be reviewed and patients given a reason why they had no follow ups and offered an alternative.