"I feel very pessimistic about my outcome"

For over 20 years I have had complex gastro issues, especially after abdominal surgery which caused gastroparesis.

My treatment was always very good, able to see gastroenterologist every 6 - 8 months, sooner if necessary, and a number of tests in between. Bloods, dietician advice, feeding tubes, scan's as required, even routine gastroscopy to monitor my lower oesophagus and stomach for cancer. All well with support for complex condition. Then October 2019, the same week Covid was announced to the world. I woke to find I could not walk properly, with much more difficult symptoms from my stomach.

Prior to this I was able to walk our dog, attended to garden and house decoration. So good mobility despite my stomach issues. I was in hospital late 2019 early 2020 for observation. Then March 2020 the hospitals closed - emergency patients only. So Covid restrictions halted my care.

Bad things come in three, Covid, my gastroenterologist retired, my surgeon sadly passed away. These gentlemen knew me inside out. So not having my team who knew me including dietician meant I had no clinical help for some time. During the last 4 years I have seen a neurologist twice, who says my mobility issues is down to gastro issues. A new gastro surgeon who I have never met seemed to be taking on my issues. I eventually saw a gastroenterologist 3 1/2 years later at another hospital in Glasgow, who whilst gave a very good report from this appointment, all they could ultimately recommend was to see a gastroenterologist at my local hospital. This meant I was put on to a routine appointment despite gastro surgeon requesting an urgent appointment for Hairmyers,

On routine appointment I was told waiting time would be early 2025 at best.

Again my gastro surgeon requested an urgent appointment with Wishaw Gastro this time. Yet again I was put on routine list, still with long waiting time. When I enquired as to why I have continually put on routine list when an urgent app. is asked for. The secretary said that there is another panel/doctor who decides who goes to what list.

So with only 3 face to face appointments in nearly 4 years, someone else is deciding my fate. My neuro symptoms have deteriorated, so have asked for second opinion, and again my GP has requested an urgent appointment for Gastro. My overall health is suffering, I am on over 60 tablets per day. No review of meds in 4 years.

My GP is doing their best, and no doubt when I see doctors face to face they will do their best. Problem is there are too many patients with complex conditions and not enough doctors, nurses and care staff. I am into my 70's now, it is my opinion that I will never see NHS as was. Even if I get to see gastro, and they request scan's, blood tests, scopes, I think I will be waiting so long after tests before I see gastro again that test results will be out of date.

With regard to neuro, I am only able to shuffle around house, pretty much housebound. When I have a fall which requires going to hospital, again they will check for broken bones etc, but the root of my issues will be ignored as they do not have the time.

MSP and MP just point me to the amount of money they are giving the NHS. Not enough, or quick enough for an NHS on its knees. Government and health boards should come together, and not make NHS a political issue. 

We seem to have an emergency-only health service and patients like me will eventually become emergencies with much more complex issues taking up more hospital beds, slowing the health service further.

I feel very pessimistic about my outcome. Why is it down to patient having been told an urgent appointment, only to find out 4 months later I am on routine waiting list? Twice this has happened.

Thank you health service staff, you must be exhausted.

Thank you, if I see gastroenterologist, they will have an enormous amount of reading to understand my issues.