I have seen a number of consultants at this department over the last 5-6 years and still remain shocked by how inconsistent and poor a service they provide. Almost all are rude, off-hand, disingenuous and have the capacity,and seem quite capable of, doing great harm. I especially worry that they appear to be a "law unto themselves" and there seems no overall authority checking into the treatment they provide. I had hoped that with the new "exit" review and the implementation of inspections these doctors would reflect more on the patient -doctor experience but as no exit forms are needed/wanted there will be no opportunity for out-patients to comment on individual performance so I can't see any improvement forthcoming. I give you my most recent example...a consultant disregarded NICE regulations concerning the timing and duration of a course of knee injections..undermining the effectiveness and increasing the clinical dangers exposing me, the patient, to infection. On a subsequent visit the same doctor made a number of untrue statements regarding my own current treatment, failing to read his own notes, let alone those of previous relevant treaments. He was rude, sarcastic and dismissive...declaring me to be a "Daily Mail" reader. when I suggested exploring other treatment options. The so-called "advances" I was suggesting have in fact been around for many years now and are currently being trialed at other NHS hospitals in the expectation of being available within the NHS . This opens up one of two options 1) That the consultant was woefully behind in his reading and simply not "up to speed" or 2) That he was being willfully misleading.to avoid treating a patient or allowing that patient an informed choice. In either case it is very disturbing. I would like to state though that virtually every registrar or more junior doctor that has treated me in this department has been excellent it is only MOST of the consultants who are SO dreadful.. .
"Orthopaedic Dept- COMPETENCE CONCERNS & NICE..."
About: Luton & Dunstable Hospital Luton & Dunstable Hospital Luton LU4 0DZ
Posted via nhs.uk
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