"New catheter - No follow-up?"

I attended Altnagelvin ED and under urology advice, a urinary catheter was inserted due to it being the weekend and no ultrasound facilities available for differential diagnosis. Urology didn’t once come and see me in ED. I was sent home from ED under the impression urology would be in contact the next working day. ED nurse provided basic counselling on how to change catheter but no advice around how to look after catheter other than showing me the booklet that comes with catheter home pack and said hopefully I’d get it out soon. 

Nearly a week later, I still have a catheter in and I have had zero contact from the hospital regarding follow-up of this catheter. I have made some phone calls myself and urology appointment doesn’t appear to be any time in the near future. Partial booking office were unable to provide me with any time estimates. The waiting times website hasn’t been updated since Encompass go-live. 

As someone who works in healthcare, I am absolutely appalled at the lack of aftercare I have received. Sending someone home with a life changing catheter with no end in sight or anyone to contact. I sat in ED for 2 days and witnessed first hand the ways that the system is broken and the department is understaffed, and building is not fit for purpose. 

I am now in limbo, unable to attend work, no answers, no end in sight, embarrassed to leave home, waiting for outpatient appointments which may be months away.