"Cancelled clinic"

Currently awaiting referral for surgery and under the care of Hairmyres hospital, East Kilbride.

I have attended 4 appointments with the same doctor – all bar 1 appointment was postponed for between 4 and 6 months. My treatment has therefore been delayed by around 14 months.

I have a debilitating disease which impacts negatively on your life every single day. I believe there was a cure (in 85-95% of cases) .  With the doctor I have seen at 3 of those appointments I have felt humiliated and made to feel that the illness/symptoms were all in my head. Wanted to put me on anti depressants and hrt!!   On one occasion where there was another senior doctor in attendance and the doctors attitude was night and day! The consultant agreed to refer me for surgery, arranged scans and said I was far too young to be suffering like this. Let’s get it sorted.  The doctor said they didn't want to wait a year to see me again and that was too difficult for me. The doctor said they would see me in 9 months. I felt such a huge relief that I was finally heading in the right direction.

So, I turn up for the long-awaited appointment where I fully expect to be referred for surgery. I handed over my appointment card. Sorry this clinic was cancelled due to sickness. This was none of my business! I wanted to know why I hadn’t been told.  Reception offered me the doctor's secretaries number as that was the only way I would get a different appointment. Previous experience of trying to contact secretary was not good. My revised appointment is for July!!! Another 5 months away when the doctors plan was that they must see me in 9 months.

I asked to speak to either the Patient affairs manager or chief of nursing – someone who would take responsibility for the failure in duty of care and poor communication. Their response was that we don’t know if they are even in work and that they couldn't help you further. Thankfully the other receptionist suggested their colleague that they speak to the sister in charge.

The sister was very helpful empathic and apologetic. Gave me details of patient affairs manager and that they would pass on my info to her, so she was forewarned about it.

When I got home last night the letter cancelling the appointment had been delivered!!  Too late.

I am gutted at this further delay. If this was a one-off postponement perhaps I would understand but the recurring pattern with this leaves me with few options.  I will submit a formal complaint and seek an urgent second opinion/surgical referral from another doctor.

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