"nephrology"

Firstly, I cannot award stars to the categories as they are not applicable. This message is simply made in the hope that somebody will listen. My husband 'R' attended a well-man clinic at our gp around April, having to return a few times to eliminate high blood pressure and to have various blood and urine tests. He was then referred to Ipswich Hospital, I had to phone after a month as we had received no initial appt. Wed 23 July - first appt at hospital, were told R needed an ultrasound of his kidneys and to return 2 weeks after for follow-up discussion, possibility a biopsy will be needed. Mon 4 August - ultrasound at Felixstowe MIU, was told there were lumps on both kidneys. Fri 29 August - phoned Ips for follow-up as no appt yet received and was told initially that there was no plan for a follow-up. When I said I would certainly hope there would be as lumps had been found, a return call was made to me to say there were lumps but nothing too concerning, this was common and if I wanted, an appt would be made, but this was not urgent. Thurs 11 September - received letter dated 8th that we did not attend an appt, we had received no such appt (I told dr this at our appt on..) Tues 23 September - appt 4.45, I can appreciate times can't always be adhered to, we were seen a little before 5.30, but is it really necessay to turn all the lights off in the waiting area when there is still a patient to be seen? At this appt we were told that R has a relatively low eGFR and that he needed a biopsy, and that whatever else he would be looking to be coming into hospital several times a year from now on. We were told we should have a biopsy date within a month and a follow-up two weeks after that, I should ring up if no biopsy date within a month. Friday 10 October - received letter for follow-up on Tuesday 4th November. Rang and cancelled, no point in this appt if we are still awaiting biopsy date. Also on the same day a letter with enclosed swabs and blood forms (subsequently carried out at gp on 14+15th) Monday 20 October - I phoned hospital, as asked, to remind that we have no biopsy appt one month on. I was told R is one of a number of patients who has not yet received one, that the dr has highlighted this, the reason for the hold-up was not known. I was told sombody would get back to me (not yet..) R has barely had a sick day in his entire 48 years, but his world has been turned upside down by the news that his kidneys are failing, worried sick and making himself ill because of the uncertainty and delay in treatment and lack of information. He was told he has an eGFR of 35, to put this into context, stage 3B CKD. Ipswich Hospital, please arrange the treatment my husband needs and stop us having to keep chasing for each and every appointment that needs to be made. Mrs B