Victoria Medical Centre
LH
Lee H. one year ago • From Google
Bad
After being informed that a referral had been submitted to a specialist eye hospital regarding a significant facial twitch, I waited two weeks without hearing anything back. I decided to follow up myself by contacting the hospital directly to confirm they had received the referral. They confirmed they had, but advised I wouldn't be seen until the end of May, despite the initial referral being sent in December and having already waited over a week for the initial appointment. When I explained to the staff member that I urgently needed an earlier appointment due to the severity of the twitching affecting my ability to open my eye, they kindly transferred me to a clinician at the hospital. This clinician explained that my symptoms were actually neurological rather than eye-related, meaning I would need to be referred to a different department. I attempted to visit my GP surgery to speak with reception staff about the situation, but was instructed to submit another electronic consultation form instead. I completed the form and was told someone would contact me within 24 hours. No contact came. When I tried calling back, I was told to click a link in the email that had been sent, which supposedly would prompt them to get in touch. I'm still waiting for a response. The whole process has become incredibly frustrating. In another instance, my child developed a severe rash on her arm and I tried to arrange an appointment. I was referred to a pharmacy consultant, which took three days to schedule. After examining the rash, they indicated it was outside their scope and I would need to see a doctor instead. After waiting another couple of days, I eventually got a doctor's appointment and received the necessary treatment, but my child was left with scarring from the rash. I'm uncertain whether earlier medical intervention could have prevented this outcome, but being passed between different services has become very exasperating.
MICHAEL G.