"Outpatient opthamopology appointment"

Our young son was referred to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital for an outpatient opthalmology appointment for his squint, after being seen in Moray. 

His squint developed not long after his first birthday, and we were quickly referred and seen at our local hospital in Elgin. The staff member there was fantastic with him, explained everything throughly, gave us all the options and listened to our every concern. She really was amazing! 

Following this, we were referred to Aberdeen. On the day of his appointment we were phoned and told not to come, as if he needed surgery (which we had been told by several professionals on this journey, was the likely option as for squints, if treated surgically at a young age, this is the most effective treatment) then they couldn't do it on the day. So instead, we were rebooked for a morning appointment with the consultant 4 weeks later to save travelling twice as the hospital is 70 miles away. 

On the day of his appointment, he was seen by a senior doctor who we found to have  poor communication skills and seemed dismissive. They advised my husband that there was nothing wrong with my son's sight which was good news. The treatment option was for our son to wear glasses for 9 months and be reviewed again. My husband questioned this due to being told there was nothing wrong with his sight minutes prior. The doctor advised this was the right option. My husband then questioned how a very young child  was expected to wear glasses all day every day, when he really wouldn't understand why he needed them or the concept, and why the review period was 9 months. The advice was  that he would just have to wear them and if in 9 months there was no improvement, surgery would be reviewed but may still not be an option.

If we wished, we could have our son reviewed 2-3 months following this appointment locally, which we agreed to. They then told my husband and son to leave. As my husband tried to get my son into the buggy he became upset. The doctor proceeded to shout at my husband and son to get out of the room as they needed to make a call. There was no empathy or compassion shown whatsoever. 

We followed this appointment by having to go to three opticians to get glasses, which we were told if they got broken, we would have to pay to replace at £60 a pair. Our son is very young and doesn't understand, so it is likely they will get broken and we will have to pay to resolve this. Extremely poor treatment option, especially when not all parents can afford £60 in the current financial climate!

We are now over 3 months on and we  haven't been reviewed or contacted. 

Extremely poor experience and poor service from NHS Grampian!