Access to health care and getting diagnosis for health conditions

worried33

Thought I would ask here on people experiences as well as any advice people may have in getting access to health care on the NHS.

My experience hasnt been great. For many years I didnt have much trouble accessing a GP, but it was always hard getting a referral to the hospital, and I discovered when being seen by a specialist they were extremely hesitant to provide any sort of diagnosis or treatment and seemed very motivated to just discharge.

On one occasion I got bounced back to a neurologist 3 times, it was the same person 3 times even though the referral asked for a second opinion, the first 2 times was from GP, and the 3rd one was initiated by my occupational therapist who was absolutely convinced there was neurological symptoms.

On another occasion I got admitted to hospital as my health was so bad, and was told my blood circulation to my legs was borderline life threatening, and even then the consultant discharged me within a day without much of an investigation other than observation. I was in such a bad state I was put on a carer plan and was told by the carers I was the only working age person under their care.

I get copies of the letters sent from consultants to my GP, and observed in the letter sent to me directly they would not reveal a diagnosis or play down problems, but then the letters sent to my GP would reveal a diagnosis and usually state the reason for lack of treatment was budget related and I dont meet the severity criteria to justify NHS treatment, sometimes the letters would recommend medication to manage the condition. When I asked GP about the contents of these letters and why I was not being correctly informed by the consultants, she explained they under a lot of pressure.

On the neurological side I later got multiple diagnosis from scans done for other reasons, completely missed by the specialist who seen me 3 times.

There is other stories to tell but these examples kind of paint my experience as a whole, very bad luck with consultants, and my support has mostly been GP and local social care.

Daffodil94

Hi, my experience is similar. I got bounced around neurologists, neurosurgeons, nerve specialists and still don’t have a clear diagnosis. My problems started in 2019 when I had a fall. Fast forward to 2024 and I’m in a wheelchair. GP will refer me anywhere I ask and give me lots of help with pain but diagnoses are lacking and neurosurgeons don’t seem to like giving second opinions. (I think they must belong to some sort of secret society). I have had loads of what could be described as palliative care (although I’m not dying) but no consultant seems to want to sit me down and tell me what’s really wrong. I’m off in November for MRI of my right foot and left ankle. My suggestion. GPs are lovely but don’t supply a diagnosis either. I can remember the days when my GP knew what was wrong with you without blood tests and X-rays and I can’t remember anyone in my family needing a referral to a consultant. They were “family doctors” in those days and had lots of knowledge and wisdom at their fingertips. I do hope you get on well and find some answers. Keep plugging away. Complain to PALS about those consultants’ letters. Be persistent in your search for answers and don’t be afraid to tell your doctor what you need. The NHS is in a terrible state and I’m convinced it is budgetary considerations that are drastically affecting the health of people like us. I wish you the very best of luck. God bless

Elizabeth100

Oh you poor thing, this is absolutely awful…it also sounds a lot like my own situation. It took six years for my diagnosis to come through…because I was persistent with asking for assistance I was then called a 'frequent' visitor to the GP practice, and diagnosed with somatisation (making up symptoms that match a disease…the one I was eventually diagnosed with). Anyway, this is not about me, it is about you…I just want to let you know you are not alone.

Medical doctors are only as good as the person who trained them, and the younger ones are doing what they can in extremely stressful circumstances. However, you needed assistance and were pushed away. You will need to be persistent if you want help, or an explanation. If you want to, ask your GP surgery for a copy of all your medical notes (it might cost you money), and work through them.

Then perhaps write a letter to the surgery and the hospital consultant, outlining your problems with the help, or lack of help that you have received. Then you could let them know how they could rectify this situation e.g. by getting you that second opinion, or whatever you need.

I suppose you need to decide what you want…more medical help? An apology? An acknowledgement that they did not give you help when you desperately required it? Have a good think about what you want to do, and what you want to happen. It will take a long time to take an official complaint, so think about whether you want to do that, or could you use that time to do something better for yourself.

Take care, Elizabeth xx

paddy1

Sorry to say but your situation seems to be pretty common as is my situation ,i call it the contrived NHS merry go round , the only thing i can suggest is you keep plugging away at them untill they they get the message your not going away untill you get answers,but the truth is unless you are in the position to pay for private intervention after a certain age not much is going to happen. I have had to resort to paying for my surgery which will only partly do the trick as i also have undiagnosed issues which it apears there will be no recognistion of, sorry carnt be more helpfull ,but suffice to say your not the only one in this situation ,and i have to say since the pandemic the GP System has taken on the role of box ticking and is becoming nothing more than a blocking tactic

bubblehair

I am in London and have had real problems getting even a GP appointment after I had to move practices after my GP retired. I’ve moved practices again and the new one is better…I managed to get a telephone appointment. For a personal appointment none emergency it’s a 16 week wait! ImMy son is also disabled and Ive given up trying to get him help on the NHS, we are currently saving up for an assessment for him via a private doctor. I do sympathies and fully understand your concerns it’s like a loop in the twilight zone; going round in circles without a proper diagnosis or treatment plan.