"Waiting time for dermatology consultation"

Husband has had a skin rash for approximately 1 year. GP decided to refer him to Raigmore Hospital NHS Highland in July after many failed attempts to treat the rash. In October, I called the booking office to enquire about an appointment. I was told that my husband was not on the waiting list to be seen. I refused to accept this was the case and eventually I was told that there had been an administrative error and that he would be placed on the waiting list with a backdated date of July.

In the meantime my husbands condition was causing his distress especially at night when he could not sleep due to the itch. The GP had written another letter to the hospital asking for the appointment to be expedited. The booking office said that they could find no trace of any letter and advised my husband to go back to his GP for a further letter. This he did and on phoning the booking office again this week was once again advised that they could find no such letter. I was also told that it would be another couple of months before my husband could be seen. I explained the difficulties he was having but was advised for him to return to his GP as the GP still had duty of care.

So much for the Treatment Time Guarantee improving services. I did ask to speak to a manager but was told that they had declined. I was also told that it was the fault of Scottish Government for setting such targets. This was in addition to being told for him to return to his GP even though primary care have their own set of difficulties.

I also asked whether my husband could be seen privately and would NHS Highland be willing to meet the cost. I was told that this was not the case but was advised that their dermatologists did private work and would be willing to see my husband privately if he was willing to pay.

We would be more than happy to travel to Glasgow to be seen privately if NHS Highland would pay the cost of the consultation and treatment. I believe that is the least they could do if they themselves cannot offer a timely service