I am trying to get an appointment with a pain clinic. My local clinic has a wait of approx ten weeks (I've already been waiting over two). A not so near one has a very slightly shorter waiting period. I was told by DART that I must stay with whichever clinic I start out with.
My question is why?
Has not an enourmous amount of money been spent on technology so that every medic we see knows about every visit to every other medic? Don't doctors write, fax each and email one other? I attend several unrealated clincs at different hospitals around the country and even at the same clinic I can see a different doctor every time. He or she reads my records and can call up my x-rays etc on their screens- or read copies of letters .
Those seeking appointments with pain clinics usually do so because they are in pain. It's not like waiting for a convenient slot for straigteneing out a nose or suchlike. Time matters - and many of us are getting on and the clock is ticking. We want to make a start on getting the right treatment/medication asap and enjoy the rest of our lives. Why, if it helps us access treatment earlier, do we not have the choice (there's a meaningless NHS word in my opinion) to start treatment wherever we can get it quickest, and then have follow up more locally. The rule that we must stay with the clinic we start off with seems unjustifiable, lets have real choice.
"Why must one stay with the pain clinic that you first attend?"
About: Devon Access and Referral Team (DART) Devon Access and Referral Team (DART) Exeter EX1 1PQ
Posted by lifeisnotarehersal (as ),
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