Seen at a private hospital but sent to A&E for follow-up

4:26pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

I WAS recently referred to hospital by my GP and was initially delighted that I could be seen and treated very quickly at one of the local private hospitals.

This was as a NHS patient under the new initiative to reduce waiting lists.

I subsequently had some treatment and then a few days after this I tried to contact the consultant who had treated me, but was told that because I was an NHS patient, the doctor could not speak to me and if I had problems I should go to my local A&E department.

Whilst I understand that those concerned were following protocol, it does seem to me that there is a lack of continuity of care in this system.

Surely my concerns could have been dealt with swiftly over the phone rather than presenting at A&E, where nothing is known of my medical history or treatment.

A friend of mine who works in the NHS in a clinical role pointed out to me that had I gone to A&E this would have added an unnecessary cost to the primary care trust, as well as putting additional strain on the A&E department.

If systems within healthcare are meant to be changing for the better, these sorts of problems should have been anticipated. I wonder how many other people have had similar experiences?

Name and address supplied.

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