"Disgraceful Dermatology Service"

Having been referred by my doctor to Medway Dermatology Department in early February 2015, the following is a list of the disgraceful responses that I eventually received from the Department before they passed my case onto the Community Dermatology who, from their literature, don't deal with problem that I have!

Early March - Ask my doctor to chase them for a appointment.

Mid April - Chased Dermatology Service Manager to chase appointment (twice)

Early May - Received letter offering appointment in early June

Early May - Spoke Dermatology to rearrange week later in early June.

Early June - Turn up for appointment only to be told it was not apparently logged properly so no appointment available. Told I had missed earlier appointment which I said had already been cancelled on phone when new appointment made!

Day after non- existent appointment in early June - Letter received offering appointment towards end June.

End June - Attended latest appointment and seen reasonably quickly and proficiently by dermatology nurse for tele-dermatology.

Early July - Receive letter indicating consultant dermatologist considers probably Basal Cell Carcinoma which should be excised "soon". Letter indicated put on consultant's waiting list for 40 minute procedure under local anaesthetic.

Later in July and August. Tried to contact Minor Surgery Appointments using each extension number at least twice. Left message on answerphone requesting confirm receipt of message and enquiring how long list and likely wait for operation.

Early September - Contacted by Medway Community Dermatology on phone and told Medway can't cope with dermatology patients so offered appointment at Dartford in late September. On request offered Gillingham three weeks earlier initially but as busy then accepted date two weeks earlier.

On checking Medway Community Dermatology information on line find the skin conditions they manage does not include BCC's!

Tried Minor Appointments phones again and both on answerphone (still !) but offered further extension number that I tried only to find another answerphone message. Left message with request to phone me back leaving both land line and mobile numbers (again!) to ask what is going on?

What sort of service are they really offering?

Subject to the next contact from Medway, or in the absence of further contact based upon my earlier experience, I am considering making a formal complaint. If the problem was more serious than I think it is or had seriously degenerated over the period dealing with Medway Hospital, their tardiness and inefficiency would have seriously affected my general health.