"Just what was the point of my consultation?"

I attended the Spire Clinic, Gartstang on Monday 4th July for an appointment with my consultant at 3pm concerning an ear complaint.

The consultant arrived at 3.22pm by which time there were 4 patients waiting to see them. I was the first and they saw me at 3.27.

The consultant offered no apology for being late, nor did they introduce them-self. In fact during the whole consultation I do not think the consultant made eye contact from me at all. I presume the consultant is a specialist but I have seen or heard no evidence of this. I explained my symptoms and also explained the quite serious effect my symptoms where having on me.The consultant was uninterested in me and following a hearing test quite casually declared that ‘I don't know what is wrong with you’.

That appeared to be the end of the consultation. No reassurance, no further investigations. The consultant gave me the distinct impression that they had no interest in me or my ailments. It was a shrug of the shoulders and ‘I don't know what is wrong with you’.

I have to say that by this stage I was quite angry. I found the consultant to be rude and unprofessional and I very nearly told them so. Instead I said, ‘is that it’. I think the consultant sensed my displeasure because they then replied that ‘I suppose I could send you to Blackpool for some pressure tests to be done’, in a very reluctant way.

It was clear to me that the consultant had no interest in helping me and I left. I have heard nothing further from the consultant or the Spire clinic or ‘Blackpool’. The whole experience was a waste of my time, but presumably not a waste of the consultant's time, whom I assume has been paid for the ‘consultation' by the NHS.

I wrote an email of complaint, which I sent of the 30th July. It was acknowledged but not answered. I wrote again on the 4th September and was told that my complaint was being handled by Spire's General Manager. I have still had no feedback, response, or follow up treatment. Absolutely nothing at all. Just what is the point of the place?