Hospital Clinic Appointments

[eddie1968]

Hi, I have been under the care of a Consultant in Diabetes for a few years now. I was last seen in Oct 2015 and had an appointment for this month as I am titrating my insulin up from 1 unit per kg to 2-3 units per kg.

Today I received a letter rescheduling the appointment to Oct 2016 and feel that as I am in the middle of titrating insulin up a year seems a long time for review. I would like any help on how to pursue this and have heard from other diabetics in the area that the appointment system is a shambles with constant rescheduling and long waits between appointments.

Thanks for any replies,
Edward.

 

[AndBreathe]

I would start by feeling the temperature of the water by making a quick phone call and explain you are undertaking instructed changes to your regime which you were to feedback at your next appointment.

You may find everyone was just shunted back and you may be able to get in sooner.

If this isn't the case, ensure you ask one of the specialist nurses or your consultant to call you back to discuss what you should do, should it all go wrong. That would equate to two attempts to rectify the situation.

If all else fails, maybe contact PALS? I've never had to myself but @donnellysdogs may have better ideas.

It all seems a bit rubbish time. Good luck with it all and let us know how it goes.

 

[noblehead]

Given you are in a period of adjusting your insulin and need professional input I would contact the diabetes clinic and speak with the consultants secretary.

Last year my hospital cancelled my Ophthalmology clinic appointment twice and tried to cancel it a third time, when I spoke to the appointments dept and stressed that I needed to be seen as I'd had retinopathy problems in the past they soon changed their mind, so do ring them @eddie1968 as you have nothing to lose.

 

[CarbsRok]

Do ring as others have said.

 

[Finsky]

Agree with others. You NEED to make your case heard and not be 'just another patient'.
I have noticed that those who do make the appointments don't have glue what is going on with your care....they just shuffle with names and time tables. I have received telephone calls saying, "if you want you could come and see consultant 'monday'...and the call was made Friday afternoon. They don't realize I need to get certain test done and results through for that precious appointment.