"Appointment booking at Whipps Cross"

Last October I was taken to A&E with Chest pains and was admitted to the Cardiology ward. I was discharged in early November with a follow up care plan that included making further appointments for both the cardiology and rheumatology departments. My understanding was that both appointments would be made by the ward clerk. By Late December I still had not heard anything about the further appointments and chased this up. An appointment was made in the Cardiology department for mid March.

However, I was readmitted to hospital in January, again with chest pains, as an appointment was still i place for mid March this was not included in the discharge plan in January.

In the meantime I still have problems with swelling in my hands and pain in joints to the extent that I am unable to work, the impact in my hands is that I now have difficultly holding a knife and fork and joint pains have affected my mobility.

Because the discharge plans stated  the follow up appointments would be made by the ward clerk my GP says he is unable to make a referral or appointment. When I  called the Ward clerk she said  it was down to my GP to make a further appointment. I am caught in the middle with no chance of a consultation or treatment plan while my condition deteriorates. As I have been off work for some time I fear my job is at risk, all because of a failure to follow through on making an appointment with rheumatology.