18 week waiting and the patients charter
Discussion
So i will keep the basics short so as not to over-complicate things.
Anyway, about a year ago my wife started to suffer from Pudendal nerve entrapment (PNE).
Allied to various other things going on with her (menopause based), it took untill this spring to get her sent to get an MRI to rule out anything like a tumour in the spine (standard procedure we understand).
So next step was for her GP to refer her to a specialist consultant for treatment, now there are only 2 recomended specialists for the PNE condition in the UK (that we are aware of) so she asked to be referred to the consultant in Bristol (we live near Gatwick). The date that the referal was instigated was 22nd May, untill about ten days ago we had waited patiently for the contact from Bristol re an appointment. Upon reciept of the letter my wife contacted Bristol to try and get a date for her consultation, bit of a jobsworth told her that she has still to wait for a date that they will issue, if the date is unacceptable then you are only permitted one ammended date otherwise you forgo you right to the consultation.
Now, i want it sorted but she is worried that if you push too hard with them, then you can get mucked about. Anyway i looked online for the patients charter, and there is wording in there that states that you are entitled to you treatment starting within 18 weeks of point of GP referal.
My question is , how strictly enforcable are these Charters, and what would be the likely outcome of giving them a boot up the backside to get things started.
Anyway, about a year ago my wife started to suffer from Pudendal nerve entrapment (PNE).
Allied to various other things going on with her (menopause based), it took untill this spring to get her sent to get an MRI to rule out anything like a tumour in the spine (standard procedure we understand).
So next step was for her GP to refer her to a specialist consultant for treatment, now there are only 2 recomended specialists for the PNE condition in the UK (that we are aware of) so she asked to be referred to the consultant in Bristol (we live near Gatwick). The date that the referal was instigated was 22nd May, untill about ten days ago we had waited patiently for the contact from Bristol re an appointment. Upon reciept of the letter my wife contacted Bristol to try and get a date for her consultation, bit of a jobsworth told her that she has still to wait for a date that they will issue, if the date is unacceptable then you are only permitted one ammended date otherwise you forgo you right to the consultation.
Now, i want it sorted but she is worried that if you push too hard with them, then you can get mucked about. Anyway i looked online for the patients charter, and there is wording in there that states that you are entitled to you treatment starting within 18 weeks of point of GP referal.
My question is , how strictly enforcable are these Charters, and what would be the likely outcome of giving them a boot up the backside to get things started.
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