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"Neurology - Medinet clinic on hold"

About: University Hospital Monklands / Neurology University Hospital Wishaw / Neurology

(as the patient),

I really didn't want to call again after calling in August and throughout the year  as the girl at Wishaw who deals with Medinet lists has been nothing but super nice and helpful. I cannot fault her but why should she take the brunt of my frustrations with the neurology service as a whole when she is just doing her job within the constraints of Covid and lack of Consultants.  

 I have had an MRI scan last year and was found to have multiple lesions in my brain (?MS) then to get a follow up MRI and appointment with neurologist (who is Medinet) for September and obviously I have had no contact from the department.  Due to Covid-19 it is obvious that things would be put on hold.
I have spoken to other patients who are still continuing to go through the diagnosis process.  I have also written to the Consultant to explain that over the Summer I had woken up one morning with a numb arm, right leg, chest wall, "cape" numbness in my neck and shoulders. The consultant basically said that due to being part of Medinet,their clinic was on hold as they had to travel up from England.  I have also had a few days now where I felt I had moderate to significant difficulties and have spent the last 6 weeks now with quite brutal headaches.
On talking to other patients in Lanarkshire either diagnosed or undiagnosed, that if they have been allotted a GGC or NHS Lanarkshire Consultant they continue to be seen having their MRI's and telephone/video follow ups.  
I really hope it isnt the case that Medinet patients are being left in the hope that the Consultants can travel up one day to see us? 
I work in the NHS and apart from finding my own job stressful have spent time wondering if I could complain or not as I completely understand, but do worry as I am Medinet I am being left to fend for myself here.  I have asked previously to be transferred care to GGC as this is where I work but I understand fully I am not in the catchment area and accept this. 
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Responses

Response from Eileen Stewart, Service Support Manager, Medical, NHS Lanarkshire 3 years ago
Eileen Stewart
Service Support Manager, Medical,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 08/10/2020 at 18:00
Published on Care Opinion at 18:00


picture of Eileen Stewart

Dear Rubberlegs

Thank you for taking the time to write to Care Opinion and I understand fully your frustration at not being seen in September when you expected to be seen. During the covid-19 crisis, all services have been impacted adversely and I can only apologise to you for this. It is certainly the case that our Medinet clinics were cancelled as a direct result of the virus, and currently we are working with our IT Department to allow Medinet clinics to be re-introduced via telephone consultations in the first instance. This should be happening within a very short time period but I cannot confirm the exact date at present.

If you wish to contact us via our Patient Affairs Department, I can take a note of your name and CHI number and pass your details to the consultant who previously saw you so that he can request your repeat MRI scan if that was the previous plan. This request may already be in the system but I would need to have your personal details to make any specific enquiry on your behalf.

Please be assured that our staff are all working tirelessly to ensure all patients are reviewed and treatment plans expedited irrespective of which consultant they are attending.

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Update posted by Rubberlegs (the patient)

Thank you for the prompt response, I totally understand as we are in the same position at GGC. I just feel Consultant-less if that is a word, no named local consultant. I will call tomorrow.

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