"TRAQS referred me to a podiatrist not an osteopathic Surgeon as recommended"

in September 2014 I was summoned to my Doctors to discuss the results of an x-ray on my right ankle, as it has been causing me distress for several weeks.

Options were discussed and my Doctor who has at least 25 years experience, decided that Podiatry, was NOT suitable and he referred me to an Osteopathic Surgeon.

Several weeks later I received a letter asking me to attend a Podiatrist on in November , I duly attended this appointment, a Mr Wilson (Podiatrist) informed me that I needed to see an Osteopathic Surgeon, he said that he would therefore refer me to such a person.

3 months later, I still did have a referral, so I tried to contact Podiatry to find out why I did not have a referral, I tried for about 3 weeks to get an answer, to no avail, since this 5 months time had gone by, my ankle had deteriorated, to the extent that I could no longer put an weight on it, as a last result I phoned my doctors secretary, who after a couple of phone calls, informed me that TRAQS had in their wisdom overruled the doctor and referred me to Podiatry.

This in effect has caused me at least 5 months of excruciating pain, so much so that I now cannot walk more that 10metres without chronic pain, also it is now getting painful to drive the car.

I am now 67 and as a patient, I as well as all other patients, do not want 'special treatment' just ' the correct treatment' which our doctor prescribes to us, we have a point of contact with our doctor, who knows our problems and with his/her experience tries to treat us accordingly, if necessary refers us to the correct department for treatment for the problem presented to them,

How can another body of people therefore change this treatment, in effect causing more pain and suffering by delaying the correct process, we as patients do not have a point of contact with this body of people to discuss this, nor are we made aware of this change of treatment, it is a fait accompli that we have to follow this cost cutting method, made by people that have very limited (if any) medical skills. they have reduced me to a person who is now taking too many painkillers and cannot perform normal duties, like walking the dog or going out shopping.

This is not the first time this has happened to myself, each time the doctors advice has been overruled and I have been sent to other people for treatment, e. g. Physio etc each time I have been re-referred to where the doctors have originally stated that I should be treated, how can this be cost cutting, it is only delaying the correct treatment, and therefore costing more money for the NHS and more pain for the patient.

With Regards