"Rheumatology department, Victoria hospital, Kirkcaldy"

Given an appointment by telephone, from a nurse, to attend my appointment,

On arrival  I was told It was the wrong day and my appointment was for the following day. I was asked who I had spoken to on the phone and at first I could only remember it was a nurse I had spoken to, but In fact it was the person questioning me.

This nurse told me they did indeed have a full appointment schedule for that day but if I wanted seen I would have to wait until 4.30, which I was prepared to do as I was in a lot of pain.

I said I would return at 4.30 but was told that I would have to stay there just in case someone didn't turn up and I would get their space. During this Covid crisis I didn't think this was the proper procedure but I agreed to stay as I wanted treatment and I was unable to attend the next day.

Whilst I was in the waiting area several patients came and went and everyone of them stop to ask me was this in fact the right area for Rheumatology nurse appointments, which I said that it was.

I feel with a notice Place on the wall naming this as the designated area for these appointment would be appropriate and helpful for patients, similar to the notice at the Physio department would be acceptable.

Whilst waiting a gentleman came in for his appointment. When he was called for his, the nurse came out his room and announced the gentlemans name. The nurse then walked back into his room and left the man to struggle to get out of the seat unaided. The man appeared to be in a lot of pain and I was deeply concerned, as if this man did stumble to the floor then I physically couldn't assist him nor, during this time of covid restrictions, was I able to assist him. 

Whilst I was waiting I noticed that several of the other patients were being accompanied by their spouse or friend. I thought that the rules must have been changed so I phoned my husband, who was sitting in the car all this time, and told him this so he too joined me for my appointment.

 I arrived at hospital at 2.25 , appointment took place at 4.30. On entering the room, the first thing this nurse said to me was  that they  haven't even phoned their partner to tell them they would be late home, and presumed they would guess there had been a hold up when the partner got home and the nurse wasn't there.

They then left the room and came back with a printed letter which stated that my appointment was recorded as being for the next day and stated that I must have misunderstood when they had made the appointment with me. As my husband had been with me, due to being furloughed, and my phone was on loudspeaker he said that he too heard me being told that it was for this day and he had in fact recorded it on out house planner, but this was not accepted.

Appointment began:

I said that I was experiencing a lot of hair loss, they then looked at my husband and said that my husband and themselves have hair loss and they just have to get on with it, laugh, and said what else?

I said that I was having a lot of pain and stiffness in my neck but they told me that they didn't deal with necks so what else?

I then mentioned my shoulders, elbow, wrists, hands and feet were all painful and some were puffy.

They examined my shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands then recorded their findings.

They then moved to my knees, which I explained I had previously been told was osteoarthritis, which they agreed. Then, without warning, they jabbed both their hands straight onto my feet. When I jumped and displayed pain, they said  yeah both your feet are sore, aren't they.

They then decided that I indeed did need a steroid injection.

When administering this, they told me that they did it the best way, which was different to the others but their way was best and used a bigger needle than others used.

They also stated that they had had training for the other way but that they knew their's was best.

This injection did help but left me with a sore, bruised bottom.

I left the appointment feeling totally disrespected and feel that this treatment is unacceptable.

On the plus side.

I feel that the Rhumatology Physiotherapist, ALWAYS goes above and beyond to make you feel valued and respected. They always help out in whatever they can.

They are always caring happy and friendly and even apologies when administering painful injections . The are a credit to the department and should be valued by all. They are a superb role model for others to aspire to be.