What a Change an E-mail Makes

Thursday ended with our plans made to cruise and an acceptance that the medical world had gone on holiday. So we stepped back and took a deep breath, ready to wait for an appointment during the first week of September.

Friday came and we found ourselves the attention of two other consultant/surgeons. The first phoned and showed a lot of interest in how I felt, listening to the complete history from day one of my illness. After about 20 minutes he talked of perhaps seeing me Tuesday/Wednesday to set out a time plan for treatment but needed to read the file and look at the MRI and other test results first. He phoned back an hour later saying he felt an appointment after next week would be sufficient.

Now within the NHS there is a group called Patient Advice and Liaison Service which I knew nothing about. Jaq found it on the web and e mailed them Thurs evening about our concerns of a long wait because of holidays etc.

The next phone call was from PALS asking what was/had happened and how they could help following the earlier consultants call. My only request was for an appointment within the week and not at least two weeks hence. Hours went by and then yet another consultant, or at least his secretary, phoned offering an appointment next Friday. Thirty minutes later PALS phoned to ask had an appointment been made and that if any other concerns arose during my hospital treatment I was to contact them. This seems a very good service that enables the patient to have someone within the hospital looking over the shoulders of the inner workings of the NHS.

Plans are the same regarding a cruise. We have good transport in the area and family close by for help to keep appointments.