"Waiting Lists"

When I was originally referred to the gynae clinic, I was told that the waiting list was around 32 weeks long for a routine appointment.  I phoned at 32 weeks as I hadn't received an appointment letter, only to be told the waiting list was now 38 weeks.  This repeated a few times and I never seemed to move up the list.  

I was phoned by the waiting list management team and asked if I wanted a telephone appointment or a face to face one.  I said face to face.  I'm not sure why this was even asked because the next time I phoned I got a date for an appointment, but was told there were no face to face appointments and it was only telephone.

59 weeks from referral, I had the appointment, and was asked by the doctor why I had asked for a telephone appointment.  When I told them it was the only option I was given, they didn't understand why that was the case.  Because it was a telephone appointment, I couldn't get an ultrasound that day and was put on the list.  

Yesterday, I was told that the waiting list for an ultrasound is 5/6 months!  So between referral to the clinic and receiving the ultrasound will be approximately 19 months.

The last 2 years have been awful with having gynae issues, and then living in limbo to try and find out.  It has caused a huge amount of stress, and the long waiting times have certainly not helped my anxiety any.  I understand the NHS is under a huge amount of pressure, but the impact this is having on patients is horrendous!