NO CHECKUP

HI THERE. I WAS DUE A PACING CHECK AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL. I DID NOT GET ONE. I PHONED THE HOSPITAL AND THE SAID THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN APPOINTMENT IN 3 WEEKS TIME. THEY NEVER SENT ME ONE. I WAITED A FEW WEEKS AND PHONED AGAIN.

THEY ARE NOW SAYING THEY WILL GIVE ME ONE IN THREE MONTHS TIME. CAN I TRUST THEM?

 

 


3 Comments

Chase every week

by LondonAndy - 2020-06-17 17:14:04

In my experience the NHS is great when you get to see someone, but the admin is often appalling, though I know the Coronavirus situation has caused a lot of disruption, with the implementation of precautions to protect both patients and staff.

Reading your profile your 2nd pacemaker was fitted in 2014, so is about 6 years old now, and you had 7.5 years life from the last one.  So assuming your last annual checkup said battery life was on track, and going to last at least another year, a three month wait is not bad but I would keep on to them to give you an appointment date.  Don't leave it weeks - if keep calling them asking for the appointment date, even if it is for 3 months time, just say you want to get a definite date for it.  With my Cardilogist I sometimes write to them, on the theory that they will read the letter when at a desk doing paperwork and I catch them at a good time to log on and book the appointment!

PM checks

by Gemita - 2020-06-17 17:27:00

Hello Pete,

Both hubby and I have had our pacemaker checks cancelled (and a lot else!!).  We are in the UK and most patients are still receiving telephone consultations for all manner of conditions.  It will take a long long time to get back to normal, if that ever can be achieved.

My husband's pacemaker check is now due next April and this will be almost two years after his last one.  When I tried to complain they reassured me that the implant is a fairly new one and that battery and leads were functioning perfectly well enough and no problems were envisaged.  They did however say that if we were concerned about anything at all to contact them before the due date and they would try to see us.  Most pacemakers are pretty reliable today and unless we experience pacing difficulties or need setting changes, I guess most of us can safely leave well alone in order to stay safe. 

PM checks

by atiras - 2020-06-18 06:16:15

I agree with Gemita -- my annual check was due in January, but I decided to switch to a clinic that was 15 minutes away not 90.  The new clinic scheduled me for March, then for September, and has not cancelled without a date.  But my pacemaker is fairly nwe and had 8.5 years life left a year agou in January, so I'd rather stay safe at home for now and wait.  (I have been having phone consultations with my cardiologist, who is also the PM super-specialist at this particular hospital -- one reason I changed clinic --, so If there was anything really worring me I'd mention it to him.)

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