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"Trying to get an appointment for an angiogram"

About: General practices in Ayrshire & Arran University Hospital Ayr / Cardiology

(as the patient),

I have been fit and healthy until 7weeks ago, I attended my own gp with extreme shortness of breath, after some blood tests I was given 2 ecgs with abnormal readings, I was sent home from station 7 the same day as results showed I had not suffered a heart attack, they arranged for me as an outpatient to have some tests which included an exercise tolerance test, pulmonary breathing test and an echo scan these tests were inconclusive.

I have never smoked and don't drink alcohol and as you can imagine my symptoms are worrying, I have chest and left arm pain on doing anything physical, I have a constant fluttering in my chest and the worst symptom is extreme exhaustion, I have not been able to work for nearly 8 weeks now and have no quality or normality of life, my gp has been amazing but feel I am being let down by the hospital system, I have been at the cardiology clinic twice but did not see a cardiologist, I paid for a private appointment at Carrick glen to see a cardiologist as I was desperate. They said I would need some more tests done including an angiogram.

I was sent to Ayr hospital and was examined by 2 doctors, I had an ecg, chest x- ray and bloods taken and was again sent home and was told by the doctor at the hospital I would need an angiogram and should receive an appointment by the 15th of April. I received an appointment to see a cardiologist on the 4 April but this letter was posted to me on the 20th march the day before my tests, I phoned cardiologist's secretary and explained I had been in for tests on the Tuesday and was told I would be getting an appointment for a angiogram they informed me you can only be referred for an angiogram by a cardiologist and it is now clear the 2 doctors I had seen were not cardiologists.

I also explained to the secretary that I had seen a cardiologist at carrick glen, I then called my gp and they said they would call and get back to me, the outcome is the cardiologist I saw at Carrick Glen practises in Glasgow so have been told they cannot make a referral at Ayr hospital for me and I have to see a cardiologist that practises at Ayr and they will make a decision on whether I have to have an angiogram this appointment is for the 4th April, as you can appreciate I feel exasperated I have spent needless money only because I was desperate and feel I am getting weaker as the weeks go by any help would a greatly appreciated.

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Responses

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 7 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 28/03/2017 at 15:25
Published on Care Opinion at 15:39


picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear 1969,

I am so sorry, this is a very unfortunate situation and we would like to sort it out. I hope I can encourage you to call 01292 617169 and speak to Dr Gemmel 's secretary.

Dr Gemmel is one of our Cardiologist and with your personal details, he will look into this for you.

Kind regards,

Eunice

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