Shunted From Pillar To Post

[horseshoes]

My Mum has been on waiting list for just over 16 months to have her cataracts removed and something with her macular degeneration done (?). At her appointment (some sort of pre-OP from what I can gather), she had her blood pressure taken and it was so high they told her they couldn't do anything and that she must goto her GP to get it brought down. She saw the GP who just refused point blank and said she wouldn't prescribe anything because if something went wrong she would get the blame??? She told my Mum to take a blood pressure it home and monitor for a week. Her blood pressure was fine. Next time at the hospital, same scenario, but her blood pressure this time was even higher. Eye surgeon told her to go back to GP to get medication to take before her op. (I believe diazepam). GP (different one this time) again refused. But said she'd write to the eye surgeon. Today, out of the blue, the practice nurse phoned Mum and said she need her to monitor her BP for a week. Y Mum said she'd already done it and told the nurse she'd like to see the senior GP. Se was told no appointment until SEPTEMBER!!! Mum said the situation was ridiculous and the nurse managed to get her appointment for next Wednesday. Mum is writing everything down to tell the doctor when she sees him. What a bonkers situation it is. Does anyone have ANY advice for her? Thank you for reading it all. I'm so upset for my Mum. Her sight is so precious to her; she's an artist and an avid reader and gardener.

[Sqad]

Madness......total madness.....once again a poor standard of health care.

Next Wednesday tell the GP to prescribe a sedative...diazepam or something similar to take before her operation.
If there is a problem with this, ask the GP to phone the Ophthalmic surgeon there and then and don't leave the GP consulting room until a decision is made.

This is STUPID.

[tonyav]

I wish I did have some advice for you, horseshoes. My aunty also has macular degeneration ( she see's all sorts of weird things ). Could it be the anxiety, stress etc of being at the hospital that is causing her to have these high readings.

[horseshoes]

Good advice Sqad, thank you, I'll tell her.

Tony, I believe that's exactly what's happening. I think they call it white coat syndrome!

[tonyav]

Yes, I can understand that, horseshoes.

[kvalidir]

I have no experience in this exact field, but I am an arch complainer and person whose happy to stay planted until I get sense out of people, so Sqad's advice is spot on, stay there until there is some sensible liaison and problem solving done. Can you go with her horseshoes, often numbers help when being bolshi?

[horseshoes]

I would love to Kvalidir, but I fear she wouldn't let me. I will try though. She's the sort who accepts what she's told but I think this time she's been pushed too far! I'm not surprised her BP is raised!!! I really do feel for her.

[Canary42]

Under the Tory's Austerity Rules for the NHS (which they are continually undermining) GPs are told they must concentrate on saving MONEY, not saving lives. This is the result.

[horseshoes]

This is an op to save someone's sight yet they'll give boob jobs on the NHS! Mad.

[horseshoes]

If she doesn't get any resolution on Wednesday,is it worth going to the press?

[tonyav]

It's got to be worth a try, horseshoes.

[tonyav]

Do you know what they are going to do about the macular degeneration ?.

[Sqad]

Canary....I didn't realise we have a Tory Government.......but I am an ex Pat so I don't really keep up with UK Politics.

Horseshoes....no that want be necessary...it will be sorted on Wednesday.

[horseshoes]

Sqad, I wish I had your confidence;-)

[horseshoes]

Tony, I think that something was happening at the same time as the cataract OP, but I won't swear to it.

[tonyav]

horseshoes, when the op as been done, if you find out what they did I would be very grateful if you'd let me know ( it could be useful for my aunty ).

[horseshoes]

Ill do my best Tony. x

[tonyav]

Thanks, horseshoes. x

[DaisyNonna]

My blood pressure is always higher when it is taken by the doctor than when taken by the practice nurses. Nurses are friendly, greet one with a smile. Doctor makes me feel I am wasting his time and asks inane questions for his box ticking.

[boxtops]

Do persuade her to let you go with her, horseshoes - she can't be fobbed off by the GP this time. It sounds as if she might have white coat hypertension... http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Medicaltests/Whitecoateffect - sqad's idea of a sedative sounds a good idea.

[tonyav]

Inane questions, Daisy !. Gawd I hope sqad doesn't see this lol.