[nikkival]

I was referred recently to a consultant and was only given the option of going to Darwen Health Centre not RBH and was seen within 4 weeks of my GP referring me on. The consultant there has now referred me for an MRI at RBH - I received a letter telling me that the waiting time is 4 weeks, I was surprised - I thought it would be longer, however if I do need surgery for my condition, I've been told it will probably be at Preston. Last year I went for a private consultation at Beardwood (GP advised this would be the fastest option for recovery, NHS would be between 18-26 weeks), and was told by the consultant that there was no need for me to have an MRI scan and that my condition would rectify in time with rest and medication, that was money well spent (not)!

My son has just had an ENT consultation, he was seen within 6 weeks of referral, was treated for his recurring nose-bleeds at Accy Vic on the same day as the consult, he has to go for a follow-up next month and that should be his treatment finished with.

So far I've no complaint with the NHS service I've received, and am hoping this will still be the case when I get my results and they decide on surgery/treatment. However a close family member had been waiting 2 years for a consultation and had a very poor experience at the old BRI following surgery, (especially regarding the hygiene and lax attitudes of some of the staff), and just to cap it off the operation didn't help her condition so she is back on the waiting list for a more complex procedure.

I was under the impression that they were building all these NHS treatment centres (like the one I went to in Darwen) to relieve the strain on the hospital departments, isn't there one being built on Paradise Street in Accy at the moment?

I suppose the NHS, especially the finances & politics will always be controversial and that everyone has had different experiences both positive & negative of the service provided.