So, understand I am not here to apportion blame, nor get anyone in trouble – seriously who is there to blame for Cancer? This is not one particular doctors ‘fault’ this is about an overloaded system. A system that this country used be, should be and should continue to be very proud of.
Let us not forget that the UK ranks 34 out of the top 104 Best Healthcare Systems in the World 24(1) and today is also one of the largest public health systems in the world. It serves an average of 1 million people every 36 hours. Its guiding goals include universality, free delivery, equity, and central funding.
The main criticism of the U.K. healthcare system in the 21st century is that the NHS is under pressure and not performing as well as in the past. The NHS is known for long waiting times in both emergency rooms and offices with scheduled appointments. With recent stresses on the NHS – including reduced funding and too few staff – these waits are longer than ever. There are further waits to get referrals to specialists.
These wait times are long enough to impact patients’ health. 26% of patients wait more than 6 weeks for a diagnostic test (a problem with suspected cancer) and many wait over 13 weeks. 39% of patients with cancer do not get their first treatment within two months. Over 10,000 patients in the UK have waited as long as 18 months for a specialist referral. The NHS is working to reduce wait and overall visit times for emergency care. However, the crisis around care providers and funding for the NHS have made this goal harder to achieve along with the impact of, recovering and moving forward from COVID-19.
Lately, there are also criticisms that some parts of the NHS are relying on outdated equipment and technology and that this contributes to slow care delivery. This may not affect the care that we receive as a general patient but it may be important when anticipating surgery or have specialised needs.
However, although we as a society may grumble about wait times or old equipment, most of us still value the NHS. This is not about devaluing the NHS nor those that were work there, this is about the dismissal of patients who know that there is something not quite right but are not listened to.
Right off we go. Appointments as follows:
10th January 2024 visit to the surgery. Now, I am not one for visiting the doctors regularly or even irregularly in fact I make very few visits beyond a running injury anyhoo, had appointment which was recorded as patient seen in surgery; sore throat since Oct/Nov, feels like lump in throat; no difficulty in swallowing; no change in voice; keen runner; worse when running in cold; no other ENT symptom; ex-smoker (25+ years), NO REFLUX.
Examination: throat and ears NAD; no neck lumps.
Dr Comment: ?reflux, try PP and review following, discussed red flags and indications for review.
My comment: I do not believe I have reflux.
5th February 2024: Problem: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease with oesophagitis. Tried Omeprazole but found did not help but has found that OTC is more effective. Whilst symptoms have improved there is still a feeling of something stuck in the throat. No other changes.
Dr Comment: Agreed plan to trial 40mg Esomeprazole for 8 weeks then review – return if no better ? Hpylori or WNT referral.
My comment: I do not believe I have reflux.
16th February (11 days later) Seen re ongoing sore throat – ok by date and sore overnight, tci later and examine ? ENT next.
My comment could I please now be referred.
So there sets the scene for appointments made face-to-face at the beginning of this year. I would like to add that when a patient makes repeated visits to the surgery for a lump or indeed any ailment and they have not visited for some time in some cases a number of years then maybe a red flag should be shown – just a thought.
10 days post surgery and no poo………..just saying
#bootupandstompit
The Expulsion of Tony! 
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