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This wait time is beyond the pale .....

(58 Posts)
Luckygirl3 Fri 29-May-26 09:28:01

...... I had a heart procedure at the end of February which has left me dependent on my pacemaker. Things are not going well - I am weak and out of breath and unable to lead a normal life.

I have just checked with the hospital about my follow-up appointment and the wait time is 10 months - I honestly feel like giving up. The only cardiologist in this area who sees patients privately is renowned for being (as one nurse described him) "a nasty shouty little man" and I have been on the receiving end of this before otherwise I would seek an earlier private appointment.

The cardiologist I am waiting to see is excellent and that is why his list is so long I guess.

I honestly feel like giving up. My quality of life is zilch and being 77 I do not have time to waste feeling so ill.

The only option I can see is to look in another area for a private appointment or to present in A&E when things are especially bad ... but then I run the risk of seeing the shouty man.

What a mess it all is ......

TwiceAsNice Tue 02-Jun-26 15:24:52

Thank you Luckygirl I am home recovering, the op was 11 days ago. I’m so sorry it’s so stressful for you I hope you get good news soon. The NHS is on its knees!

Luckygirl3 Tue 02-Jun-26 16:05:36

It is so good to be out the other side of an op!

M0nica Tue 02-Jun-26 18:13:49

Luckygirl3, can you be referred to the heart failure nurse. I do not fully understand heart conditions but DH had a triple bypass 4 years ago and a pacemaker fitted two years ago and symptoms much like yours. The first year after it were hell. His pulse was irregular and he was in and out of hospital. We thought the end was near, then 18 months ago he was referred to the heart failure clinic. This is nurse run and they are uick to respond to any problems. Ask about it.

Luckygirl3 Tue 02-Jun-26 18:49:46

There is no specialist nurse clinic here unfortunately.

M0nica Wed 03-Jun-26 09:44:00

Luckygirl3

There is no specialist nurse clinic here unfortunately.

That is most unfortunate. I thought the network of Heart failure Clinics was countrywide. When we moved from Oxfordshire to Cambridgeshire last year, DH was transferred from the HF Clinic run at our local community hospital to one in Cambridgeshire that seems to operate from a surgery the other side of town.

The transfer was a bit clunky and we had to chase our new GP to get it organised, but I genuinely believe that the HF nurses are responsible for DH's current relative good health.

Luckygirl3 Wed 03-Jun-26 09:55:36

It really is a one-horse service here! There is a cardiology nurse for those who have just had a heart attack - been there, done that - but no other. I am not on their radar any more.

Geordiegirl1 Sat 06-Jun-26 12:26:21

This man will continue throwing his weight around until people complain.