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"Lack of communication from Pain Clinic"

About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Pain Services

(as a service user),

I am receiving for chronic hip pain caused by Avascular Necrosis that was diagnosed last year. I was referred to the pain clinic in May 2018, I was seen by a doctor in early November and the result of this consultation was that I was to be prescribed buprenorphine patches. I had an appt with the GP on that week half expecting a letter to have arrived with them by this point and actually be able to get started on treatment however this was not the case, I have regularly called the practice to find out if there has been any letter sent yet to get the patches prescribed however this was not the case.

On the date of this letter being written, it has now been 6 weeks since my appointment and I still don’t have anything. I am 27 years old and truly struggling with the pain, It has had a severe impact on my sleep and my mental health, I am unable to work (although I don’t expect to be able to work with the patches). I use two crutches to walk the very small distance that I can, I have to rely on my car to go everywhere, I can also spend days at a time in bed due to the pain being too much and being unable to sit up for any length of time.

I was hoping to have started these patches by now and hopefully get some quality of life back since I don’t have any quality of life. I have also tried to call the secretary for the Dr I saw I have left messages none of which have been responded to. As a patient I should not have to chase everything up, I do not have the energy to have to keep doing this I am seriously exhausted both mentally and physically.

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Responses

Response from Christine Leith, Unit Operational Manager, Surgery 4, NHS Grampian 4 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Christine Leith
Unit Operational Manager, Surgery 4,
NHS Grampian
Submitted on 25/06/2019 at 16:07
Published on Care Opinion at 16:27


Hi Crohnie25,

Firstly can I apologise for the very late reply to this post. Advise to GPs from clinics are made electronically to the practices usually within a 10 day period allowing time for the letters to be typed.

I am sorry this information didn't reach you the same week as you had anticipated. We have reviewed our process and have now prioritised letters that await any onward advice to GPs in relation to changes to medication or prescriptions.

Thank you for alerting us to this issue which has allowed us to improve our service.

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