"Booking an appointment through DRSS Newton Abbot"

In May I rang DRSS at Newton Abbot as per the appointment request form to book an appointment to be seen by the Rheumatology Team. I was advised there were no appointments, my details would go thro to Paignton my choice for the appointment and my details would be kept for when appointments were available and an appointment would be made.

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Early June I had to check Paignton Hospital had my correct details as I had not heard anything and my pain was/ is getting worse. Details confirmed and advised to contact the secretary of the Rheumatology Team if I was concerned. GP upped my pain meds and I carried on. Not wanting to be a nuisance and thinking how busy they were with no appointments available.

Today as the pain is getting worse and I had not heard anything re an appointment I rang the Secretary to be advised my details had not been received and I was not on the system there had been and were appointments available and advised me to contact DRSS,

This I did to have it confirmed that my details had not been put on the system.

I have been waiting all this time with my symptoms deteriorating and having to take stronger pain killers for an appointment in effect I would never have received.

This is totally unacceptable.

An appointment has been made for early September which is way over the 11 weeks timescale as per secretary advised patients have to be seen by.

I advised I wanted to make a complaint, I was given a contact number for PALS. I rang this number to be told it was the wrong number I had been given the Exeter number. They gave me the correct number and I have left a message for them to contact me which they say will be within two days

So my experience of booking an appointment with DRSS has definitely not been a good one..