Would you google?

I tend to google as I don't like being ignorant - I prefer to find out about my enemy, as it were so that I feel it can't take me unawares. Each to their own.

I Google everything.

With regard to the missed appointments, my husband was sent 2 letters accusing him of missing appointments along with a list of how much it cost the NHS.

However he hadn't missed the appoiments at all.

I was also asked to make an appt for annual blood test /blood pressure which I duly did.

2 weeks later I'm getting another phone call asking me to make an appointment. Even though I'd just been.

We had the same experience with the pain clinic for my poor old mum.

Waiting, waiting, waiting for an appointment, patiently hoping against hope that it may be able to at least reduce her pain a little.

Months and months went by, but we didn't make a fuss, as we knew it was overrun with others in the same situation.

Then were informed that as we had 'ignored' 2 previous letters, she would have to be referred by her gp and go to the bottom of the queue again.

NHS is often poor at communication. My sil has just been told that his G.P. Should have dpescribed pain relief in April. G.P. Surgery deny any notification, set appointment for end of April!

great

My husband had a complicated procedure in hospital a few months ago and the only way I could get any info was to Google NHS sites, very useful.

Be very careful what you search for, health-wise! Some years ago, DH had an infected knee (requiring surgery ) and I made the mistake of doing a Google search for: "streptococcal infection". Oh dear me - never again! (DH made a full recovery and was/is fine.)

Yes, I google a lot. You need to find out things and be prepared ! Good luck x

NHS admin locally is appalling. DH had emergency admittance (heart problems) a couple of years ago. It was only after he was eventually discharged that I read his discharge docs which had incorrect medical history and next of kin/emergency contact numbers meaning if things took a turn for the worse I could not have been contacted.

Yes, I would Google and then read the research papers!

I wouldn't choose a consultant till I have Googled them and read up on their special interests etc. And I'd rather travel to a consultant I'm confident about than just go locally.

I have a link on my desktop to Google Scholar, so yes, I would always, always, definitely Google!

I probably would Google as I do about almost everything.

Gabriella the first doc made sure she had my phone and mobile number. All my other letters came correctly but this hospital is in a different board so I don't understand it. My son thinks their IT systems are not modernised.

Don't bother with googling at least until after your upcoming consultation, but here is a link to PALS

Definitely make clear notes of everything that has gone wrong and complain when you are feeling well enough.

No I wouldn't Google!

I have many medical appointments and always get the text about five days beforehand.
A few weeks ago, I got an automated call, whilst in Rome, asking me to confirm that I was attending hospital for my operation.
I hadn't a clue what it was about. It turned out the letter about my forthcoming angiogram had arrived, whilst I was on holiday, so I was able to confirm it.

Yes, I have found it helpful to google, but like others, only using the NHS site and never anything with AD in the title.

No I have never had a text for one of my many hospital appointments, got one on Friday, no text and they have my number and all my uptodate details.

Always google, use UK sites mostly the NHS site.

I get texts for all my medical appts, GP, nurse, hospital and dentist.
Sometimes, I get an automated phone call, asking to confirm a hospital appointment.
I find it really helpful.

Never had a text or email from NHS hospital/consultant facilities. My GP Practice sends text reminders as does dentist but that is all. I think you can opt in now if you want but no use if you don't have a mobile or computer. Much better having a paper trail for these things. I am a nurse and it is of no use to nurses in the community sending patient information via email or text as it often arrives at the wrong person (who does not send it on) or too late to be of any use to a nurse removing sutures/clips or doing dressings. It is much much better if someone arrives with a typed discharge actual letter with instructions!

Many years ago when "googling" was in it's infancy DD told me when googling health problems only to use NHS and NICE sites. Read any of the others and you can get some real scary information most of which can cause you to worry.

And yes I would Google.

They don't always text you to remind you, and I was twice taken off my doctor's list because the local health authority sent letters to a similar address to mine and when the letters were returned to sender, they assumed I had left the area. DH once got a letter from a hospital the day AFTER the appointment that were offering! If course, they then told our GP that he had not attended.

My DD had a small surgical procedure, a while ago.
After it was done, a nurse said "You'll be back on XX date for your follow up appointment." DD knew nothing about it. The nurse got quite ratty and told her it was in the notes and she'd get 'a black mark' if she didn't turn up for it.
At DD's insistence, the nurse went to check. She came back some time later, with a totally changed demeanour.
The admin dept had not made the appointment, although the date was written in the notes.

I was there to pick DD up and I saw all this happening.
NHS admin is not as foolproof as you imagine, GG54.

Every missed appointment costs the NHS £2,000.
How did they get your address wrong?
They text to remind you and also send a letter which has an attachment with your name, address, dob and other info.
You're required to correct any mistakes: name changes, phone number etc and hand it in when you arrive.

I definitely would and have as long as it's a recognised UK site (if you're in the UK) as Google usually has US sites as top of the list.
Look carefully to see when the article was written/published as much of it is old stuff.
YouTube is good for pictures of medical procedures along with all the other stuff filling it's pages.