"Why were so many services involved?"

This story is being submitted by Healthwatch Oldham on behalf of someone who wishes to remain anonymous. Any response to this story will be communicated with the individual concerned.

I went to see my local practice nurse at Chadderton Health Centre as I had a spot under my arm, when I got to the appointment I was told that I would need to see doctor.

On the Tuesday I saw the doctor who put me on a course of antibiotics. By the Friday the spot had increased to the size of a squash ball, as it was the Easter Bank Holiday my GP Practice wasn’t open so I went to the walk in centre. The walk in centre sent me to surgery assessment clinic at Royal Oldham hospital where I was taken in and told that I needed surgery.

On the Saturday I was told I was on the surgical list and therefor nil by mouth, I sat all day with no food or drink and was told at 10pm that they had not had time to fit me in. one of the nurses managed to get me a sandwich and first drink of the day.

The same thing happened again on the Sunday and Monday.

I finally went to theatre on Tuesday lunch time by which time it had grown further in size and this has meant that I have been left with a considerable scar. The Procedure was completed and I was sent home the same day.

For the next four weeks I also had to visit District Nurses initially daily and then every other day at the Integrated Care Centre to have it drained and dressed.

I don’t understand how this situation escalated into so many different services being called upon which wastes such valuable resources, finances and time as well as the inconvenience to myself. I feel that this could have been dealt with much more effectively on my first visit to the GP practice.