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Still waiting on an appointment for possible cancer

Posted By nofaith

"Still waiting on an appointment for possible cancer "

About: Arrowe Park Hospital

(as a friend),

I am writing this about a friend who we are all encouraging to complain.

They were referred by their gp under the two week guideline for possible cancer and actually seen quite promptly, within 10 days...so far so good ........but then it goes downhill....

They were seen by the wrong consultant even though their letter had the right consultants name on, ok he wasn't in which can't be helped but they were then told that they would see correct one the week after.

The following week no appointment had been booked for them and no request for one had been put through.

They were told numerous facts and about the first visit which they obviously knew to be incorrect.

They were still waiting for further appointment more than 4 weeks later.

When you have being referred for a suspected cancer in the first place, this is absolutely unacceptable leaving the patient and their whole family an friends angry but above all worried! ! ! !

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Update posted by nofaith (a friend)

Just an update on the above.

My friend was eventually seen and fortunately all tests were clear.

This does not however excuse the appalling system that he found himself in.

Apart from the worry to the patient, it is a waste of a lot of staff's time & resources dealing with queries about the appointment.

I have heard too many similar stories and remain disgusted that he was left in limbo for so long. Patients naturally have to wait for results of tests etc which can be a trying time but that was not the reason in this case, in was the inefficiency of the inter-department referral system and above all a very poor communication system creating much more worry than was necessary.

Response from Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 8 years ago
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 26/06/2015 at 12:42
Published on Care Opinion at 17:22

We are very sorry to hear about the experience your friend had at Arrowe Park Hospital. Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the provision of high quality care for all patients, however we realise that there may be times when we do not always get things right.

We note your comments about Arrowe Park Hospital. However, if you would like for us to look into your concerns further, we will need personal details and more information about what happened and where your friends care was managed.

If you would like to discuss your concerns further, you can ring the Complaints Department on 0151 604 7660, email wih-tr.Complaints@nhs.net or in writing to Complaints Department, Arrowe Park Hospital, Arrowe Park Road, Upton, Wirral, CH49 5PE. The Complaints Department can discuss the best way that we can try to address your concerns.

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