Wednesday 13 March 2013

Rant about the NHS

So, girlie really suffering now. Mobility in her hip is definitely causing her some issues, but it also looks like her other ankle is beginning to flare as well.
So Monday I rang the Rheumatology Advice Line at our local hospital where our Consultant is based. I spoke to the Rheumatology Nurse who told me straight out that she couldn't give me any advice as she didn't deal with Pediatrics. Some advice line!
So yesterday I rang the Pediatric Rheumatologist that we are due to see on 19th, to see if there was any possibility of them seeing her earlier as the longer she is in flare, the more risk there is of long term damage to her joints. She has been in active flare since diagnosis so over a month. I was told by the Secretary that they only do Pediatric clinics once a month and they would not see her in the General Rheumatology Clinic as she was a child. Mega helpful thanks!
I then spoke to the GP as Girlie is suffering constipation as a side effect of the Naproxen, he prescribed Lactolose Syrup to see if that would help.
After this conversation with my GP I realised that I have no faith in the hospital that is treating my daughter as their concern is older patients with arthritis rather than children. So I made an appointment to see the GP yesterday evening to ask about a referral to a different hospital.
Got to the Dr's appointment and discussed my concerns, turns out that the GP cannot refer us to a specialist children's hospital as it is in a tiered system, Drs refer to district hospitals and then district hospitals refer to Specialists. So even then we are still no closer to getting something done about I's issues.
I am so frustrated with the whole system, it's a joke! My daughter is suffering and it seems that nobody seems to actually care about the situation. I am totally fed up and sick of phoning the hospital every day to try and get things moving. It would be really nice to say I give up and I'm not doing it anymore, but that's my baby girl suffering and if you think we are taking it lying down.... Think again!!

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