"NHS Forth Valley and appalling waiting times"

NHS Informs states

Under the 18 weeks Referral to Treatment Standard, at least 90% of patients should receive all of the following within 18 weeks of being referred:

an outpatient appointment

diagnostic test (if required)

treatment

In my experience, NHS Forth Valley fails on every count.

I had a first ENT consultation in August last year, a second opinion a month later, a discussion in October of the scan results and agreement to proceed to surgery. In January, NHS Forth Valley told me that they are very busy, then later that month, a referral was made to Ross Hall Private Hospital, Glasgow. At that point, NHS had already taken more than four months and no procedure was forthcoming. In March, Ross Hall said they would not do the procedure requested. I am now back waiting and told it will now be June before a further consultation, let alone procedure, takes place. 18 weeks referral to treatment - laughable. NHS Forth Valley is in my opinion, simply interested in systems and procedures and nothing about patient care. And if you dare speak out, woe betide you, you will incur their wrath and get pat answers.