Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

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

Making an appointment

Posted By GG1981

"Making an appointment"

About: University Hospital Wishaw / Gynaecology (Ward 13)

(as a carer),

I am writing this to see if others have been affected by this apparent new scheme NHS Lanarkshire seems to have introduced.

My elderly mother attends the gynaecology department every 6 months to get a pessaries change. She got 3 letters cancelling her upcoming appointment. Then a final letter saying there is a system called Patient Initiated Return and she has to now make an appointment if she wants one. 

I have called the number on the letter to be greeted by an answering machine message each time (3 times in total) and I can't get a hold of any gynaecology secretaries to actually make an appointment which is just ridiculous.

What do I do now? 

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

Responses

Response from Karen Donnelly, Business Support Manager, Surgical & Critical Care / Gynaecology, NHS Lanarkshire last week
Karen Donnelly
Business Support Manager, Surgical & Critical Care / Gynaecology,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 05/11/2025 at 08:35
Published on Care Opinion at 08:35

Thank you for contacting us to advise of the issues your mother has experienced with her appointments.

The Patient Initiated Return (PIR) system is designed for patients who have completed treatment and do not require regular follow-ups. It allows them to contact us directly if their symptoms return so that an appointment can be arranged at a suitable time. It is not intended for patients who need to return regularly, such as those attending for pessary changes.

Please accept my sincere apologies for the error in placing your mother on this system, as it is not appropriate for her ongoing care. I also apologise for the difficulty you encountered in trying to reach a secretary.

As this message is sent anonymously, could you please email me directly with your mother’s details? This will allow me to investigate the matter further and provide an appropriate response.

email - karen.donnelly@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

Regards

Karen Donnelly

Business Support Manager

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