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Care Opinion

Eye problem

Posted By Jimmy1610

"Eye problem"

About: Galloway Community Hospital / Ophthalmology

(as the patient),

For around 2 and a half years I have been suffering a eye problem where tears continually run, often when driving or speaking with people. Because I have to wipe it, the skin around the eye area often becomes inflamed.

After an initial appointment with my gp and advised to use eye drops etc, the problem continued. I reattended my gp and advised to stop using drops, I was then referred to a consultant.

I got my appointment a few months later for September, and tests were done which were inconclusive. My outpatient appointments since then have been cancelled. The consultant called around Christmas apologising for the wait, and said I would be seen very soon as I was outwith the target time.

My next appointment was then cancelled on the morning of my appointment for Stranraer, I then received another appointment for Dumfries (75 miles away)and it was cancelled the day before, as it was Dumfries I also had to arrange for a family member to be off work to drive me home as the procedure affects your eye sight.

I am feeling that my care has been poor. There are clearly issues within the service to allow this this to not be picked up and timely appointments be offered. I have waited 10 months to see the consultant and the problem is starting to drive me mad.

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Responses

Response from Michaela Cannon, Patient Feedback and Complaints Co-ordinator, Patient Services, NHS Dumfries & Galloway 7 years ago
Michaela Cannon
Patient Feedback and Complaints Co-ordinator, Patient Services,
NHS Dumfries & Galloway

I am responsible for the co-ordination of Patient Feedback and Formal Complaints received by NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

Submitted on 20/07/2016 at 15:33
Published on Care Opinion at 16:09

picture of Michaela Cannon

Dear Jimmy1610,

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. I am really sorry to hear that you are having difficulties with your eyes and that you have experienced delays in getting appropriate treatment.

I would like to look into this matter further for you and in order to be able to do so, I would be grateful if you could contact me either by telephone or email - Dumf-uhb.PatientServices@nhs or 01387 272733 to provide full details of your concerns.

Kind regards

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Update posted by Jimmy1610 (the patient)

After a bit of phoning and emails I soon got an appointment in August in Dumfries (75miles ) but that was fine. I had a good informative appointment and confirmed that I would need a small procedure and would be sometime soon. I informed the consultant that I would not be Available in October. I was told then it might be November or I would know then at least when I would be seen again. Well September,October and November have come and gone and zero correspondence. At least if I was told 2017 it would be something.

I contacted the appointment centre who stated that they couldn't make the appointment it would need to be the consultant's secretary. They were then contacted and I was told it was the appointment centre after all and got put through to them. They then stated that it was indeed them who would action the appointment. I was then told that there was no clinic available. So once again I'm left hanging. No correspondence, no appointments and no clue as to what's happening....Poor service.

Response from Joan Pollard, Associate Director of Allied Health Professions, NHS Dumfries and Galloway 7 years ago
Joan Pollard
Associate Director of Allied Health Professions,
NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Professional Lead for Allied Health Professions

Submitted on 07/12/2016 at 14:26
Published on Care Opinion at 14:41

Dear Jimmy1610

Jimmy, I would like to see if I can help you with this. In order to do that I will need some further information. Please email me on jpollard@nhs.net providing me with your name, address and date of birth and any further information you may be able to give me around which consultant etc.

Many thanks

Joan

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Update posted by Jimmy1610 (the patient)

The saga continues. I eventually had an operation in May 2018. I had a small hole drilled into the skull and also a small tube to eventually make a drain for the eye.

The op went well and I was well looked after while in DGRI. I was told I would be seen 6 or 7 weeks after the op for a follow up. I received an appointment for August which I couldn't attend as I was going away.

Instead of asking when I could attend I received a letter for an appointment in "October "! Just before that date it was cancelled by NHS. I then received an appointment for FEBRUARY! 6 or 7 weeks was now 7 or 8 months.

I duly went to my appointment and spoke with my surgeon who was literally gobsmacked. The surgeon was obviously embarrassed as I was told I should have been seen in July the previous year. During my appointment the surgeon was happy that the drilling was healed etc. However the small tube had disappeared from the duct. I have no idea where it is either.

The surgeon asked if I wanted to continue with the process which would mean seeing the eye specialist again. I said yes as nothing had worked and my eye was worse than ever. It waters continually and is inflamed all the time.

That appointment was FEBRUARY and I'm still waiting on an appointment to see the eye specialist, 6 months later. Won't be long till this is a 4 year saga with no resolution and a tube which could be anywhere in my head. I am considering consulting a lawyer to get some advice re the whole thing.

Update posted by Jimmy1610 (the patient)

Still have not had any response.

Response from Joan Pollard, Associate Director of Allied Health Professions, NHS Dumfries and Galloway 4 years ago
Joan Pollard
Associate Director of Allied Health Professions,
NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Professional Lead for Allied Health Professions

Submitted on 16/08/2019 at 11:10
Published on Care Opinion at 11:10

Dear jimmy1610

I am really sorry for being so slow in responding to your post. However have just had a quick conversation with Gail Meier who is the Deputy General Manager for Acute Services. She is keen to look into this further. In order to do this I need to ask you to provide us with your personal details.

I would be really grateful if you would email dumf-uhh.acutecomplaints@nhs.net please with the following information:

Full name

Address

Date of Birth

Contact telephone number

Many thanks

Joan

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