I live in the Midlands and My G.P. referred me to Kings Neurology due to increasing migraines, particularly hemiplegic ones, and neurological symptoms. It is supposed to be an excellent facility for Neurolgoy. Initially I was seen at the end of September 2015, and a MRI was ordered. I returned at the end of October for the scan then heard absolutely nothing. I wrote to the hospital twice and in December finally got a response via my G.P. letter stating the scan was 'unremarkable' but I would be seen in clinic again. Due to my deteriorating health my G.P. contacted the hospital, with no response. What followed next would be laughable but for the fact I was suffering debilitating symptoms.
Repeated phone calls, with messages ignored, letters ignored.
Eventually I contacted PALS - what a waste of time that was! As they say, we can't make them respond and are cannot give appointments. Fast forward to August 2016 and still no follow up appointment, Eventually when I made sure they understood I was going to get my solicitor to contact them, I finally found out the Neurology Service Managers name and number and in fairness the Manager did return my call. At the end of September 2016 - yes a full year later I returned to Kings for a 'forced' appointment. The first doctor I saw had no information about me, no notes were available so the tedious job of back tracking 50 years worth of health record ensued. I ended up absolutely distraught, sobbing and shaking. My husband had to intervene. When I saw the consultant they said they would refer me to the Ophthalmic clinic and here we go again just waiting - waiting - waiting. After emailing a named nurse, who is very nice, very efficient and polite, they responded quickly to my email and told me the referral is being handled. So a month has now passed and the referral is merely being handled and still no hope of an actual appointment or help. I am left to get through each day as best I can. I am more than happy to travel over a hundred miles for expert help in an outstanding facility despite how ill this makes me, which shows how desperate I am, and have to fully fund it too so find it particularly galling to be in exactly the same position again. Replies to other posts mostly say contact PALS, which in my case turned out to be a waste of time. I know the NHS is struggling, but I say to Kings Chief Executive, try living my life for a day then you will know what struggling is.
"Neurology - unacceptable waiting and left..."
About: King's College Hospital (Denmark Hill) / Neurology King's College Hospital (Denmark Hill) Neurology SE5 9RS
Posted via nhs.uk
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