"Appalling consultation with a locum at the eye..."

I was referred to the eye clinic by a Doctor in A&E for a full eye check. I attended the clinic on the 29th of August 2017 and was seen by a Locum doctor, who barely spoke, gave the impression that they didn't want to be there, could not be bothered to deal with or investigate my condition and was quite dismissive. Apart from the nurse doing a test to check for dry eyes, the doctor did not even look in my eyes with a light let alone use the diagnostic machines to check my eye health. The test done by the nurse did indicate I had dry eyes and was very helpful in suggesting to the doctor I be given drops to help alleviate this, although I did mention that I had already been using similar products prior to my appointment with no success and that when numbing eyedrops were put in at A&E they made no difference to my pain. However, the Doctor then indicated that the consultation was over. I was extremely concerned over this as they had not addressed the severe pain in my eye or the double vision. When I questioned this the nurse spoke up and suggested that I should be seen by the orthoptist (who had already left for the day) which the doctor agreed to and ended the consultation. I went to the booking desk to book an orthoptist appointment and was asked for the form from the doctor. As they had failed to give me one the nurse had to return to the consulting room to request that they completed the form. The nurse who supported me was extremely empathetic throughout. Although treated for dry eyes, significant pain and double vision can be symptoms of something more serious and I feel it was extremely negligent that the doctor could not even be bothered to look into and check my eye health as would have happened if I had simply visited an optician, which I feel I will now have to do for reassurance, although this may be difficult as I contacted my optician prior to visiting A&E and was told that they would just refer me straight to the hospital with my symptoms for a full eye check.

Due to another health issue I have attended Leeds teaching hospitalis for 20 years where the service/treatment/thoroughness of ivestigations/ attitude of staff has always been excellent.

My consultation today has got to be the worst I have ever had in all of my 58 years. The only positive today was the excellent support and empathy shown by the nurse/healthcare professional.

Maybe the answer is to simply go to Leeds this weekend, go to A&E and be seen by a competent professional and receive an appropriate eye examination for my symptoms, but I should not have to feel that way.

It is easy to see why this hospital is failing in it's duty of care for local people - I am just so grateful that the majority of any of my health concerns are dealt with at Leeds.