"I would just like the opportunity to see my doctor..."

What could be improved

I was diagnosed over two years ago at Preston as a sufferer of Crohns disease, and the treatment I've received as an out-patient has become increasingly poor, inconsistent and infrequent. I don't think I've ever had an appointment which hasn't been cancelled and pushed back by at least 3 months, despite being told I should be seen every 6 months. My last appointment was on the 13th March, where because of an increasing decline in my health my medication was changed and I was told I would be seen in 3 months. I received an appointment for July, and just before a holiday at the end of May I got a letter stating my appointment had been changed to September, hardly the 3 months deemed necessary by the consultant.

Whilst on holiday, in Egypt, I was admitted to hospital with a flare-up and kept in hospital for 5 days, the day I was due to fly home I was told by the consultant there that it was imperative I sought further treatment from my consultant at home. When phoning the hospital at home and explaining my situation I was told that I had an existing appointment in September and if I needed to bring this forward I would have to go through my GP. My GP wrote a referral over two weeks ago, and having not heard anything I returned to my GP explaining my health is still in decline and am losing 1lb every two days. An urgent fax was sent.

That was yesterday, I have just spoken to my consultants secretary to chase this up. Again I was told I have an existing appointment in September (by which time I'll most likely have died of malnutrition). Apparently my doctor has not been there, and only they make decisions regarding their patients, however they have requested to see my notes, which they've not yet seen, despite it being over two weeks. I was offered no apologies or empathy.

I feel insignificant, am pretty much house bound, in pain and am afraid of losing my job due to my absence. I just want some help and hope to hear something soon.