"Excellent service"

Dear Quip245

Thank you for taking the time to respond to our request for feedback.

I am grateful for the opportunity to respond to the points you raised.

1. You may already be aware that it is every patients right to be offered a Choice of hospital when their GP identifies the need for a referral for further care. This is in line with the NHS Patient's Charter. However I am sure you can appreciate that TRAQS does not have any control over individual hospital waiting times as this is managed by the hospitals themselves. Unfortuantely if the hospital has not released any appointments we are unable to give a definite idea of how long you are likely to wait to receive an appointment.

2. Once you have been seen by a Consultant at the hospital of your Choice it is the hospital that arranges all diagnostic tests as instructed by the consultant. If whilst you are waiting your condition worsens we would encourage you to inform your GP to ensure that any clinical changes which mean an earlier appointment is necessary are identified at the earliest opportunity. Your GP can then write to the consultant to advise of any changes.

If you have any concerns relating to the time you waited to undergo a colonoscopy I would encourage you to contact the PALS Team at the Russells Hall Hospital so that they can look into the waiting times which you experienced on your behalf.

Thank you again for sharing your feedback with the team. I wish you well for the future.

Thank you for your comments about Russells Hall Hospital.

In order for us to be able to address the points you have raised we would need more information and the opportunity to review your case notes. If you wished to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on free phone 0800 073 0510 we would happily look into the issues you have raised.