"A&E to optthalmogy"

Optician was unable to ge any response from ophthalmology dept at hospital so told me to go to A&E with a referral letter.p he provided.

Surprisingly only 1 hr to get through A&E nurse followed by Dr and passed to opthalmology dept.

Receptionist told me to see a different receptionist, opposite the reception area ??! No explanation. She took my papers from A&E including opticians letter . When I asked for them back she said “ no, the dr will need them. I’ll give them to him”

Saw a nurse who seemed sympathetic but under impression A&E had done some treatment which they hadn’t - what use are notes from A&E if not passed on??

Finally saw dr - opthalmologist - he asked what the problem was and if my GP had sent me. Only when I asked if he’d seen the opticians letter and notes was the receptionist sent for and she handed them over!! He spent some time examin8ng my eye and told me in turns that I didn’t have a detached retina, there was no damage to the retina just a bleed, then there was a tear to my retina....the letter to my GP he subsequently provided a copy of stated ‘ tear, haemorrhage and detachment” so who knows.

I was then told to turn up at Moorfields clinic in London at 8.30 am next day, at their A&E, no appointment, just turn up and give them this copy of a letter to my GP.

What they will do I have no idea, presumably a more definitive diagnosis as I was told they have better equipment- scanners etc.. whether they will even see me I doubt having now visited the V R E, MEH website which states “All cases must be discussed with the VR service upon referral and must not be sent to the clinic without doing so. Please ensure that the name of the doctor who accepted the referral is written on the letter.” there was no such discussion, so may we’ll be wasting my time tomorrow. I was given the scary info that if I left it 3 or 4 days it would be muc more serious and need a ‘big fuss, so I guess I’ll go and see.

Would be really helpful if any explanation of what to expect was given but no questions where allowed, due to time constraints no doubt.

Left feeling very anxious and afraid, plus confused about next steps.