"A & E + Urgent Care Centre excellent, ENT..."

After sudden total deafness in one ear on 14 July, I was given an immediate appointment at my gp on Monday 15 July for that am to see the duty doctor; he tried in vain to telephone Northwick Park Hospital ENT Dept for someone to see me, but could not get any answer, so he referred me to A&E for an urgent ENT assessment. I duly attended the Urgent Care Centre, and was seen after about an hour's wait (not unreasonable) by a doctor who was excellent. He prescribed steroids and gastro-resistant capsules, and "discussed with ENT SHO who accepted me for emergency ENT clinic", and told me that I would hear from ENT with an appointment on the following day for that day". On returning home on 15 July, I telephoned the ENT department to clarify when on 16 July my appointment was likely to be. I waited 30 minutes on the phone, eventually got through to the ENT dept and spoke to a secretary and the appointments person, who seemed to be having a nervous breakdown and was totally unhelpful. She said that the ENT Dept. was far too busy to see me on the Tuesday, coping with children with objects stuck in their ears and cancer patients, and that ENT were still dealing with referrals from 9 July, and I was unlikely to be seen at least until 22 July. This was an urgent matter and I was at risk of losing my hearing permanently. I then made arrangements to see an ENT consultant privately. I was telephoned by NPH ENT unit at 3.00 pm on 17 July, offering me an appointment on 25 July, or if inconvenient 29 July, both well after the expiry of the steroids prescribed by the doctor. This delay is quite unacceptable, and I must complain in the strongest terms. The NHS served me well up to the treatment in the UCC, and then degenerated into utter hopelessness. I would therefore not recommend anyone with similar problems to try the ENT Dept of this hospital. An explanation and apology is the least I can expect, and compensation for having to resort to the private sector.