"Lost faith in the referral system"

My back problems started 20 years ago when the wrong disc was removed following treatment for an existing back problem. Subsequently, the correct disc was removed but the damage had been done and my 25 year career ended.

Over the years my back has become worse and in this last year I have been back to my GP for a referral for further surgery. My GP outlined certain pathways that needed to be followed before surgery eg physiotherapy, acupuncture etc to manage the pain. I duly went down these avenues, at one point someone suggested I go to casualty to speed things up.

The process was indeed sped up after I went to the casualty department. Under a new protocol I was referred to a practice nurse at Stonehouse hospital who would assess my needs for referral to the southern General for further treatment. The practice nurse I saw agreed I did need a referral, this was processed, I was told I would be seen within 10 weeks. This waiting period was breached.

I was eventually seen by the consultant, who asked for an MRI scan to confirm the level of deterioration in my spine. Before it got as far as the treatment I wanted to have a clear understanding of where the treatment would be given and the care I would be given. The wrong disc being removed was at southern general and this experience had scarred me in more ways than one. I called thr consulant’s office to arrange this. His Secretary offered to call me back, two weeks later I still had not heard from them, a further two weeks went by – a total of 8 weeks before I was able to speak to the consultant about my concerns.

I was advised that it could take 13 weeks for the MRI Scan, it took longer. I was given a date at the end of March for the scan and told to phone the pre-assessment day bed ward in the morning to confirm all the arrangements were in place. I phoned. I was told someone would call me back. After waiting two hours I called again, the nurse I spoke to could not find and trace of my earlier call, they did not have any record of me being referred for a scan or that I would need a bed for the night. This had been agreed as it would save me having to travel back and forth from the hospital when I was in pain, staying overnight would mean I would still be at the hospital when the scan was reviewed by the consultant

As I was not scheduled for a scan, according their notes, I was told to go to the ward nevertheless and they would try and fit me in, although I would not be able to stay overnight. I was given a scan at 4: 30pm. The nursing staff here were exceptional, they did all they could to ensure I received the MRI scan and that I was comfortable as I could be in the circumstances. A registrar who looked at the scan said he did not think an operation would be needed. However, I had been told to return the following day prepared for surgery. I was there the next day, prepared for surgery only to be told at the last minute that surgery was not possible and that the consultant would refer me to a colleague for further options.

I should add that during March I received a letter from the Acute Services Division that they would not be able to offer a referral due to capacity issues. I rand the number on the letter and spoke to a colleague of the person who signed the letter who said she would have a conference call with the consultant to review my needs, following this she called me back and said that my scan would go ahead, I would be admitted overnight so no need to go to and fro from the hospital. This did not happen.

I have lost faith in the referral system, in the NHS. I am in constant pain and do not know where I go next to get the help I need. It has taken a year from my initial visit to my GP to the MRI scan.