NHS appointments: waiting times and procedure

[CockneyMafia 10]

I’ve been referred for an arthroscopy following a knee injury sustained playing football. As the procedure requires a general anaesthetic, I need to be booked in for a health assessment first. When I tried to book an appointment two weeks ago, I was told there were no appointments available and I would get a call when a slot became free. Doesn’t this contravene the basis NHS charter? Surely a patient is entitled to an appointment date, regardless of when it is?

 

The only literature I could find on the subject relates to the below.

 

http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/Waitingtimes/Pages/Guide%20to%20waiting%20times.aspx

 

Any thoughts and feedback appreciated.

[Expat owl 10]

Go private, you'll get the scan the next day

[MrSmith 10]

Go private, you'll get the scan the next day

 

My advice too, it took the NHS two years to sort my other half’s knee, by which time she had developed a back problem, five years on and she still not getting any joy with the NHS, she is now seeing a private physio and her back is improving rapidly.

[pottedplant 10]

I’ve been referred for an arthroscopy following a knee injury sustained playing football. As the procedure requires a general anaesthetic, I need to be booked in for a health assessment first. When I tried to book an appointment two weeks ago, I was told there were no appointments available and I would get a call when a slot became free. Doesn’t this contravene the basis NHS charter? Surely a patient is entitled to an appointment date, regardless of when it is?

 

The only literature I could find on the subject relates to the below.

 

http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/Waitingtimes/Pages/Guide%20to%20waiting%20times.aspx

 

Any thoughts and feedback appreciated.

 

My partner had a arthroscopy using local not general anesthetic - can you ask for that?

[Daven 10]

I’ve been referred for an arthroscopy following a knee injury sustained playing football. As the procedure requires a general anaesthetic, I need to be booked in for a health assessment first. When I tried to book an appointment two weeks ago, I was told there were no appointments available and I would get a call when a slot became free. Doesn’t this contravene the basis NHS charter? Surely a patient is entitled to an appointment date, regardless of when it is?

 

The only literature I could find on the subject relates to the below.

 

http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/Waitingtimes/Pages/Guide%20to%20waiting%20times.aspx

 

Any thoughts and feedback appreciated.

Telephone the secretary of the Consultant you have been referred to and ask for an appointment date - be flexible and accept any cancellation.

I presume you have been seen by and assessed by an orthopaedic surgeon ? I believe that the 'clock' begins ticking once you have been seen and accepted for surgery.

Edited June 19, 2013 by Daven

[fairyworld14 10]

I would have thought you would be booked in for pre assessment .Which you should get details of soon . If you don't then yes phone your consultants secretary .

[trackrunner 10]

The 18 week pathway is from initial consultation to start of treatment. Once you have made your first visit your treatment should be within 18 weeks of that.