They should be able to see the Orthopeadic Consultant at the hospital she went to and be able to ask for a second opinion. They may have to make an appt or may even need to offer to pay for a private consultation if they want a more speedy response. Maybe she was seen by a house officer or SHO at the hospital, she can always request to see the registrar if she is not happy with the advice she has been given. If she feels she is not getting anywhere, then she needs to ask to speak to a member of the PALS (Patient Advice and Liason Services) team, who are there to ensure patients get the appropriate advice/treatment. If you request to see them then they have to have someone come to see you. You can find more about what they do here.
Charly - Claire can self refer to St John & Lizzie’s in St John’s Wood see link below - they are super quick and super good, you will have to pay tho. I suggest you call them first… don’t bother with the NHS - my leg should have been in plaster since day 1, but A&E messed it up.
I can thoroughly recommend Mr Ian Fyfe, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, tel no 01895 232275 for his secretary, who screwed both my eblows and left forarm back together for me 18 months ago. He’s based at Cemintine Churchill Hospital and Northwick Park Hospital
Charlie, check with Claire if she has private health insurance through her work. When I spoke to her last summer she told me she is working for a reasonable sized company and many companies offer private health insurance to their employees. This might make things a lot easier.
I studied at King’s College London Hospital as a medical student and one of the best in the business is Mr .J. Compson. who is a hand specialist.
We saw approximately 10 patients EVERYDAY who sustained their hand injuries due to motorcycle accidents and all were fantastically pleased with the results.
Best thing is to make your way to the fracure clinic at King’s college london at Denmark hill, usually runs on monday/tuesday mornings and see if you can be booked in to see Mr Compson.
Seeing as it is a fracture/complication I would urge you to see the consultant ASAP before the bones starts to heal. Speak to your GP and see if he can refer you to Mr Compson for an immediate consultation. Most health clinics will refer you to the consultant of your choice.
… Although the recommendation from speedy seems very good. This is what I can recommend …
A couple of years ago I had an accident (non bike related) and I had to go through a fairly complicated operation. I had it done at the London Clinic which is Nearby Regent Park (fortunately the insurance paid for it). The two surgeons that carried it out did an excellent job. In the process I had several consultations with other doctors there and all the consultants were extremely good.
At the London Clinic you can generally find the best doctors/surgeons around and a consultation with them (although fairly expensive) worth every penny.
Some of them work for the NHS as well and if another operation is required they might be able to arrange it through the NHS.
I had a look at the London Clinic internet site and you can find a list of Orthopaedics at:
Charlie, not 100% sure but at the emergency unit they should be able to do a referral to see Mr Compson without passing through Claire GP. Try to ask, when I did my operation I didn’t pass through my GP at all, just through the emergency unit, F.
Unless you go private, the quickest way to get seen in the NHS is at an A&E. If the lady in question is in agonising pain you need to go back to A&E and insist on treatment.
Otherwise 3 days is a f*cking miracle for a regular hospital appointment. Did you accept it? I’d suggest accepting it and going back to A&E in the meantime. If something is seriously wrong with her I’m amazed A&E didn’t treat her and you need to complain if she is in agony and has not been treated. Call PALS as suggested earlier.
Where was this? A&E is like a warzone in some places. It’s so overrun with minor ailments and non-accidents and non-emergencies that they are basically triaging the patients (a job your GP should be doing).
You can be seen as an emergency by a GP - you don’t need to be registered with one. They will only refer you on though…
Jesus, Hammersmith said go to Charing Cross? They are part of the same Trust. Either of those should be fine.
Go to wherever will get you in the quickest. There’s nothing to choose between them - they are all glorified butchers anyway (doctors reading this, offense intended ).
From having friends going through the NHS with breaks etc couple of mates had broken wrists and the doctors did the usual (as your getting) being slow and a pain in the backside. I know it makes you feel so confused. In the end one of them got a credit card with 0% and went to the Bupa private hospital in Bushey paid a good whack but they sorted him good and proper and he has had no problem since. If you can in anyway do this its prob the best option even though its expensive.
Otherwise just keep complaining and complaining. Its so sad that you have too be this way to get anything done.
Charly, I worked in Charing Cross. You can’t buck the system my friend, that’s all. Get seen at a big centre if you’re in London and get in the system ASAP.
Private is often no better in terms of quality of treatment (it’s the same people) but you pay to jump the queue. In fact for some things, such as cancer, the NHS will see you faster.
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