Patient let down by NHS booking 'failure'
A patient from Lincoln says she will be forced into pay for private treatment due to a problem with the NHS's controversial Choose and Book system.
Margaret Chalk, 50, of Woburn Avenue, Lincoln, says she is living in permanent discomfort after suffering with conjunctivitis for eight weeks.
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Margaret Chalk has been struggling to get an appointment to see an opthamologist
Having gone back and forth to the Minister Medical Practice, trying various treatments without success, her GP, Dr Paul Fitzgerald, referred her to see a ophthalmologist.
Mrs Chalk then received a reference number and password for the Choose and Book service through the post, following her appointment with Dr Fitzgerald.
But when she rang the number last Monday she was told that there were no appointments on the system at Lincoln County Hospital and that the hospital would be in touch shortly.
But after hearing nothing for a week Mrs Chalk rang the booking line on Monday and was given the same response.
"I have now asked my doctor to refer me to a private consultant because what's the use of having money in the bank if you don't have your health?" said Mrs Chalk.
"It's either that or sitting in A&E until somebody will see me."
Spokesman for NHS Lincolnshire Jim Moss said: "Both United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust and NHS Lincolnshire are totally committed to improving patient care and ensuring appointment availability for both routine and urgent patients.
"In this case, one of our staff has contacted the patient with a view to helping to resolve the situation."
9 Comments
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by NHS worker, Lincoln
Thursday, August 27 2009, 10:33AM
“Does it now? You know, working in the NHS, I never tire of 'experts' who know naff all about running a hospital telling me what is right and wrong with my trust. In this woman's case I suspect there is an issue with the contact centre, there may even be slot issues where they are showing up incorretly on the system when they have already been taken.
Obviously the media chose to lead with negative stories as it is their perogative to rip into the NHS when possible (The Echo however tend to be more balanced in fairness) but choose and book is liked by a large number of patients. I am one of them because I can elect to go to whichever hospital I feel is performing best and it helps me to pick the one with the lowest waiting list.
As for the story on nurses, there are always going to be bad eggs, it is just a shame that we have to carry the can for them. The lot of a nurse is fairly easy though, treat a huge number of patients for relatively low pay, and if you are lucky you can get verbally and physically abused by patients and visitors.”
by Rodney S. Barker, Gainsborough
Thursday, August 27 2009, 10:05AM
“It is time that Lincoln County Hospital received a full and detailed inspection both on the medical and on the administrative fronts. report published to day makes a scathing criticism of nurses with which I agree, but the adminstrative side needs its nefficiency looking at. When this is done the whole hospital adminstration(including consultants to tea ladies and cleaners needs restructuring with a clear and strict chain of command.”
by Mick, Lincoln
Thursday, August 27 2009, 10:05AM
“"I have now asked my doctor to refer me to a private consultant because what's the use of having money in the bank if you don't have your health?" said Mrs Chalk.
"It's either that or sitting in A&E until somebody will see me."
whats going to take longest ?
A wait at A & E or a wait for a Private Consultant ?
Its Nice To Have The Money To Make The Choice !”
by Mick, Lincoln
Thursday, August 27 2009, 10:04AM
“"I have now asked my doctor to refer me to a private consultant because what's the use of having money in the bank if you don't have your health?" said Mrs Chalk.
"It's either that or sitting in A&E until somebody will see me."
whats going to take longest ?
A wait at A & E or a wait for a Private Consultant ?”
by Les Woods aka Ernest Woods, Doddington Road, Lincoln
Thursday, August 27 2009, 8:51AM
“I was so impressed last week by the NHS service, even though the referred to, booking service was not used.
I had a problem with my left eye - my right eye problem was already being attended to by QMC Nottingham.
I rang my doctor's reception at 0830; I saw the doctor at 1130; I was being attended to by the eye clinic at Lincoln County Hospital at 1430.
I have nothing but praise for this service. My thanks to my Doctor and his Receptionist and the Reception, Nurses and Ophthamologist at Lincoln County Hospital Eye Department.
I must add that I am sorry that I may have taken the place of someone who was already on the waiting list.”