Waiting for results

sherrardk | 20:36 Fri 18th Mar 2011 | Body & Soul

8 Answers

My father has waited 34 days for the results of his prostate biopsy (fortunately, all clear) when he should have received them within 10 - 14 days. He only managed to track them down through his job (he works in pathology in one hospital and the results were in pathology at a different hospital). The pathetic reason for the delay in waiting for the results was because they had run out of printer paper. I think it is disgusting that people are being overly worried waiting for potentially life changing results because some idiot can't order paper! Sorry - rant over.

eyesight

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boxtops

I share your disgust at the delay, but I kid you not - NHS cuts are really hard to handle in some quarters. we used to be able to collect boxes of printer paper, now we can only collect one ream at a time, and it's all written down. That is awful though - especially in these days of result all being on computer, someone could have phoned him.

sherrardk

Question Author

Thanks Boxtops, I feel sorry for the people who are not in a position to pull in some favours to get their results. And what about the people whose treatment is delayed because of this?

weas

no excuse!! I would of found some paper to use , the system is only as good as the person doing the job, lazy people

wolf63

If the delay had only been a day or so it would be (slightly) easier to accept but 34 days is an eternity when in such a situation.

If it were me I would complain - and I am not usually a complainer - if it prevents the situation happening again.

When I started in the Civil Service in 1980 they were very generous with the stationary - I could have been taking enough home to run a business.

When I left in 2003 we were in the position that boxtops mentions - one box of paper at a time and restrictions on the amount of staples we could order etc.

I am glad that your day's results are clear.

ladyalex

I shudder to think of the salary grade of the bright spark who thought it was money-saving to ration and record printer paper.
You can get it for about £2.50 for 500 sheets in Asda, so goodness knows how little the NHS will pay for it.
And I bet not a soul ever checks the register where the paper is signed for.

anneasquith

as an ex nurse/midwife, i am ashamed of the NHS, as a patient i was appalled at the treatment.