My brother was referred by his doctor to ENT concerning a sever throat problem in September 2014. In Oct he received a letter stating that he had missed his appointment, this letter was referring to a child, certainly not my brother. He phoned and was told this was an error and subsequently he received an other appointment. In November he had a scan, a biopsy and was sent home still in sever pain without any medication. Since that date his weight has dropped to seven and a half stone, he hasn't been able to eat any solid food for over 3 months and has constantly been attending walk in centre and his GP. Three weeks ago I attend the emergency department with my brother. The nurse in charge spoke to him alone and we left. When outside I asked what was said and if they had looked in his mouth. No they hadn't, as they said his doctor had requested he go back to see them....off the record the doctor had said they could do no more for him so advised he go to emergency dept. My brothers throat looks like it is rotting. I went back in and spoke with the nurse in charge and was told they have to decide what is urgent and what is not. How can someone make that decision without even examining a patient. There is a duty of care and it has failed badly. So. Tuesday 17th March 2015 as an on going appointment my brother has and emergency MRI scan and is then booked in to have his tonsils out on Fri 20th. Tonsils weren't taken out but a biopsy was performed. Brother sent home with letter for his doctor and one for himself. The contents of the later state Oropharyngeal Carsinoma. Wednesday 25th a letter arrives with an appointment for Tues 31st March. No further details, Nothing. This diagnosis is cancer and no one at ENT had the decency to personally tell my brother or discuss anything with him. He was given some pain relief but nothing works, he can't eat, he can barely drink and to be honest we as a family think he is dying. So does he. He has been failed by ENT and LRI there would be more compassion if he was a dog. ENT and LRI have failed in the duty of care from the very beginning but I promise you I wont fail my brother because I will fight this neglect with every breath in my body. I will be with him for the appointment on Tuesday morning and many many questions will be asked and we will not leave until we have satisfactory answers. I know the reply to this will be , name address, patient number ETC but what is the point because by all accounts that is just to pacify and look good on this website. Actions speak louder than words but not at LRI where staff claim to be overworked and underpaid. Rubbish I say, I've never seen in my many visits any member of staff having to rush for any reason. Decent salaries are paid for so many to chat amongst themselves often without a care in the world or any patient care. Patients are people not mere statistics.
"Referred by doctor concerning severe throat..."
About: Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LE1 5WW
Posted via nhs.uk
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