"Unhappy with the way I was treated by the consultant at the lung clinic, Royal Oldham Hospital"

This story has been submitted by Healthwatch Oldham on behalf of someone who wishes to remain anonymous. Any response received will be communicated to the person involved.

In December 2014 I had an appointment at the lung Clinic, Royal Oldham Hospital this was a result of 2 ½ year of respiratory problems. Six months previously I had an appointment where I was told I possibly had pulmonary fibrosis but would need referring to a specialist.

On arriving at my appointment, it was not the Doctor I expected to see. It was another doctor.

The person I saw at this appointment was very unhelpful, although I had had a scan he did not put the scan up or discuss the result of the scan, my sister (who was supporting me at the appointment) asked if he could show us the scan, he then did this but the scan picture was so small we could not see it and he did not provide us with any verbal information. He then said “there is medication but this will be looked at further down the line”. I mentioned that I had been previously told it could be Pulmonary Fibrosis and asked if this was the diagnosis to which he replied “possibly” I felt very upset and angry as this Doctor was not being helpful and did not seem able to give me a diagnosis, I ended up in tears and had to leave the room as I felt so upset. My sister stayed in the room and asked about the medication the consultant did not give any information regarding this other than this is something that could be looked at later on down the line.

Following this appointment I received a letter which was also sent to my GP which stated that I had: Walked out of my appointment and refused treatment a. ) I left the room very upset and frustrated b. ) I was not offered any treatment. It also said in the letter that my diagnosis was COPD and Interstitial lung disease which was not mentioned on the day of my appointment. I have since spoken to my Doctor about my experience and the letter sent out and he is requested that I be seen by the original specialist ASAP.

I have been left upset and angry by my experience as I was not given correct information regarding my condition on the day of my appointment and in the letter accused on walking out of my appointment and refusing treatment which I wasn’t even offered!

I would like to know:

Why my diagnosis was not discussed with me?

Why I did not see the named consultant?

Why a letter was then sent saying I had walked out of my appointment and refused treatment?