"Waiting for a referral"

In December 2018, while out on my daily walk, my toe caught the raised part of the kerb and I literally fell flat on my face. My husband came to collect me and I asked him to take me to our surgery, Viewpark Health Centre,  because I was bleeding and I could feel my face swelling up. I was immediately taken through to see a nurse who recognised that I was in shock, tried to clean my face but said I needed to go to A&E. By the time I got to Monkland's General Hospital I realised that I had hurt my right hand as well as having two skint knees. 

I was seen straight away by a nurse who deemed it necessary for me to see a doctor who examined me thoroughly and arranged for my arm and hand to be x-rayed to check if my fingers were broken (which they weren't, just staved!) but thought my face was too swollen to be x-rayed to check if I had broken my nose. She also advised me to make an appointment to see someone from ENT a few days later and to monitor for any concussion over the next 48 hours. Before I left the hospital I was given an appointment to see a Nasal Trauma Nurse at the clinic in mid December 2018.

The nurse examined my now very bruised face but they were unable to establish if my nose was broken because of the swelling and arranged for me to return to the clinic in January 2019 By that time my physical recovery was amazing and I had photographic evidence to show how quickly my face had healed in December, with further reduction in the bruising and swelling by my January appointment. The nurse examined my nose and didn't think that my nose had been broken and was able to clearly see swollen cartilage, in both nostrils, particularly my left nostril. As far as they was concerned my nose could take up to three months to heal and the fact that my breathing wasn't affected, certainly did not recommend an operation. I was advised that they didn't think I needed to be referred to a consultant but could do so if I wanted. I said that I would like to be referred for reassurance. I was told they would make the referral but didn't know how long that would take.

All positive so far!

However, while the cartilage swelling has reduced significantly, it is still more apparent in my left nostril. At times I feel a slight tingling/numbness on the left side of my face and on occasion a sore head but kept thinking I could relay this to a consultant whenever I received an appointment. Yesterday and this morning, I tried the nurse I saw previously and left a message on the answering machine. I also contacted the appointment referral service to check if I had been referred to be told that I had NOT been referred and that there was an 18 week waiting list. It was suggested that if the nurse I had left a message for didn't get back to me I could ask my GP to refer me.

On phoning Viewpark Health Service I was advised that the service provided at the moment required a patient to phone at 8am for an appointment with any doctor that same day, unless it was an emergency in which case the patient would be seen. It would just be fortunate if the patient was given an appointment with their preferred GP. There were no cancellations for this afternoon but and I was asked  if I wanted to speak to a doctor, which sounded positive until I was advised that an appointment could be made for Tuesday for a doctor could phone me! 

What has happened to our NHS? Luckily I am a reasonably healthy individual and avoid attending a GP if I can. But in trusting the health professionals to provide a service for me I am feeling greatly let down. On one hand patients are encouraged to visit their GP if they have about any medical concerns in order to establish if further investigations are required to minimise prolonged illnesses and treatment. In my opinion is it is becoming more difficult to access an appointment at a time when the patient has felt ill enough to contact the surgery/health centre for a consultation.

Today I have been left feeling:

 - disappointed and let down at not being referred to an ENT consultant when I trusted the person who said they would do that

- angry about not being able to make an appointment with my GP in order to be referred by him to an ENT consultant

- frustrated that my patience has been broken waiting for a referral

- annoyed that I have felt the need to sit down and write about my experiences

I am sure I am not alone in feeling like this. I know that in an emergency I would be given the first class care that I know is available throughout the NHS; I have friends and family who have benefited. I would rather not have to wait until I am 'an emergency' before experiencing the positive aspects of the NHS.