"Wasting time and adding to stress"

I have recently been diagnosed with a severe aortic stenosis.  It was an 'accidental' diagnosis as I was consulting my GP due to post-menopausal bleeding.  I am very grateful for the accident.

However, I am appalled at the behaviour of a doctor of the Gynaecology Department of NHS Highland.  I saw them to, I assumed, consider the post-menopausal bleeding.  I explained the recent diagnosis of an aortic stenosis, in fact, I let them read the diagnostic letter that I had received.  They seemed taken aback by it but went ahead with an examination.  They said they would refer me to a colleague for a biopsy and a coil.

I attended Raigmore this morning expecting a biopsy and a coil.  However, the doctor that I saw knew nothing of the expectation that they would fit a coil.  I described my diagnosis of an aortic stenosis.  They seemed uncomfortable and queried why the first doctor had not written to my cardiology consultant (named in the diagnostic letter) to check that it was okay to do a biopsy and coil fitting before referring me on.  I had assumed this would have been done that as a matter of good, competent practice.  It had not.  This doctor also queried why the first one did not do the biopsy, I had to say that I didnt know.

We agreed that I would use a cardiology appointment in June to ask the questions that that first doctor had failed to and to put any procedures on hold until we had the answers.

I was left feeling that I had simply been fobbed off onto someone else. They wasted 3 and half hours of my time, the doctors time and added to the stress I am already feeling. This person has effectively made me a middle man between cardiology and gynaecology.  To be made a go between in my own treatment is unacceptable and highly unprofessional.  It shows no concern for my health, wellbeing or dignity.

The doctor I saw this morning was lovely and very, very helpful, and must have been as frustrated as I am at the lack of care showed by their colleague.