"long wait at fracture clinic - but good paediatric care"

Written by Healthwatch Cornwall on behalf of the story provider:

A patient was suffering from breathlessness all this week and visited the doctors’ surgery yesterday (Manor surgery). Doctor prescribed a brown inhaler. Patient went to the chemist to collect prescription to find the doctor had put them on a red inhaler. Patient used inhaler last night and again this morning. The chemist checked with the patient whether they had been on this inhaler before and said they thought the red inhaler was the right one. Patient said the inhaler had helped.

This morning the patient experienced severe cramps and the school thought it was asthma. Parent brought the patient to the hospital today. The patient has been to the Camborne and Redruth Hospital many times and finds it okay and a bit more relaxed there. Now waiting to be seen.

Patient said they have also had an experience of Treliske and referred to long waiting times. This year they have been to A&E, orthopaedic fracture clinic and paediatric wards. Waited in fracture clinic for nearly three hours and did not receive an apology/explanation – nothing.

Environment at Treliske was nice with friendly staff and was a good experience on all wards. Patient also needs physio for a hip problem – at West Cornwall Hospital. The referral form has to be physically taken to Penzance (lives approximately 15 miles away with CRCH being more local to them). Has not been informed how long they will need to wait.

A note from Healthwatch Cornwall