I'm 24 years old, I have been suffering with sinus problems for around 5 years. Around about 2 years ago i was referred to the ENT clinic at lister hospital for a consultation, after numerous infections, and constant pressure and pain on the the left side of my face that was becoming unbearable to live with and that was unresponsive to any medication i was taking. (steroid nasal sprays, oral steroids, antihistamines, antibiotics, decongestants, nasal rinses, pain killers etc). After around 2months of being referred by my doctor i managed to get an appointment with a senior consultant at the hospital. The reception staff were very friendly and I was very optimistic about meeting the consultant. Unfortunately on meeting them i found them rude, patronising, and found them to have a general lack of interest about my personal situation. Because of course for them they probably see 20 patients like me a day. I felt like I was just another number on the system. Non the less after two examinations I was diagnosed with chronic rhinitis and reluctantly referred for surgery to undergo septoplasty with turbinate reduction. This is the first surgery that i have ever undergone so i was fairly nervous. The staff were very friendly and I got to meet the surgeon before the operation. They were really nice and very professional. After the surgery I was given no information as to what were the next steps for me. I was not even seen by the surgeon, or any other doctor. But instead was given a cup of tea and a leaflet about sinus irrigation by a nurse, which was irrelevant to me as i had packing in my nose that i didn't know had been put there. I also wasn't told that i would have to come back in a weeks time to have this removed. On top of that i was provided with no pain relief, and so the subsequent few day were so painful that i was unable to sleep and in tears with the pain. I managed to get some codeine, and was enough to relive the pain, however if i had been provide this by the hospital then i wouldn't have had to suffer for the first three days. Since having my operation i have seen no improvement to my situation. The left side of my face has constant pressure and i regualy contract infections due to drainage problems. I have been back for various consultations since my operation. But no matter how many times i go back i don't seem to make any progress. I'm also seen by different consultants some of which are really helpful, and some a very rude but either way makes it feel like I'm going round in circles. I was referred for a CT scan in may of this year, although i didn't receive an appointment letter from the hospital.(this has happened on three occasions), so it was rescheduled for the next month. Since having my CT scan, i have had 2 appointments cancelled on me at very short notice, and so when they called to cancel i told them that i would need a saturday appointment as i can't keep taking days off work for them just to cancel them. theres more....
"Some friendly staff - but an overall poor service"
About: Lister Hospital Lister Hospital Stevenage SG1 4AB
Posted via nhs.uk
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