"MRI Monklands Hospital"

About: University Hospital Monklands / Trauma & orthopaedics University Hospital Monklands Trauma & orthopaedics ML6 0JS

Posted by LHS (as the patient), 7 years ago

Thankfully I very rarely visit my GP, and consider myself very lucky to have had 8 days sick leave from work in the past 11 years.
Unfortunately I had months of numbness in my arm, neck pain, severe headaches, which weeks of physiotherapy didn’t help. I was at last referred for a MRI (Dec 15).
Team at Monklands reviewed my scan (Jan 16) and informed me, and my GP by letter, that there was nothing operable, they gave no further information to my GP.
The arm, neck pain and headaches continued sporadically and became acute early 2017. I presented at A&E, at my daughters insistence (she had never seen me so ill) and I was given painkillers. On the 3rd and final time at A&E during 2017 was given aspirin, and sent home.
Feeling desperate for assistance I arranged a consultation at a private hospital in Glasgow ( Sept 17) and a further MRI scan was quickly arranged. The Consultant informed me that it was apparent that I had a prolapsed disc in my neck, which was also visible on the MRI scan from Monklands Hospital (Dec 15)!!! At last I had been informed what the issue was, and could take appropriate action to resolve and attempt to treat. While unfortunately I continue to have some pain, it’s now been more appropriately managed.
I can’t describe the pain and distress this has caused me, and am frankly horrified that Monklands Hospital missed the issue on my MRI.

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Responses

Stephen Peebles

Director of Hospital Services, University Hospital Monklands,

NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 17/04/2018 at 17:00

Published on Care Opinion on 18/04/2018 at 10:04

Dear LHS
I am extremely sorry for any distress you have suffered whilst waiting on a diagnosis and treatment for your prolapsed disc. Whilst it may have been the case that there was nothing operable identified when the initial scan was undertaken there are often options of conservative management to help reduce symptoms and pain.
If you contact our patient affairs team at Monklands Hospital, on 01236 713 065 and let them know your details, I will be happy to look into the issues you have raised and what we could have done differently.
Yours Sincerely
Stephen Peebles

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Update posted by LHS (the patient) 7 years ago

Dear Stephen,
Thank you for your timely response. It is very much appreciated.
There have undoubtedly been a catalogue of unnecessary, and costly (to me personally, and our cash strapped NHS) issues in my case including:
*My GP being unable to refer me for MRI - policy in NHS Lanarkshire
*Weeks of pain and sleepless nights waiting for referral to Physiotherapist
*Weeks of physiotherapy then Physiotherapist referring me to Head of Department
*Physiotherapy Head of Dept then referring me for MRI - all taking months
*Various costly/ineffective meds being prescribed in the interim
*Dreadful first experience during MRI at Monklands Hospital/cleaner coming in to scan area with mop and bucket. Radiographer also apologised re lack of information in advance of neck MRI.
*Monklands Hospital Consultant giving no helpful information after MRI, to me or my GP
*Meantime chronic headaches and arm pain continued....while attempting to work full time in a demanding job
*Costly meds continuing to prescribed, including ineffective migraine meds
As the patient I had expected to be fully informed of any NHS test results, and being in a position to consider, and discuss with my GP my ongoing care, and the possibility of seaking a second opinion if I felt necessary.
I’m sure you would agree that without all the information it’s impossible for any patient to manage/selfmanage. I will of course contact the patient affairs team, as you have suggested, and I very much look forward to you investigating the issues I’ve raised, and potentially saving another patient similar distress, and the associated unnecessary costs to patients and the NHS.
I will of course be eternally grateful to the Neurosurgeon at the private hospital in Glasgow for their prompt diagnosis, and an experienced acupuncturist, as my mental health, at that stage, was also becoming a concern.
Kind regards
LHS

Update posted by LHS (the patient) 6 years ago

Stephen I do appreciate you have many competing priorities, however I would be grateful for an update in relation to your investigation, re the issues I raised, at your earliest convenience.
Kind regards
LHS

Stephen Peebles

Director of Hospital Services, University Hospital Monklands,

NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 11/05/2018 at 13:11

Published on Care Opinion at 16:07

Dear LHS
Many thanks for passing your details on to our patient affairs team who have forwarded them on to me for investigation. I am sorry for the delay in responding but I will get back to you with the outcome through the patient affairs team as soon as possible.
Kind Regards
Stephen

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Update posted by LHS (the patient) 6 years ago

NHS Lanarkshire.
Other than my call to Patient Affairs last week, I’m disappointed I still have’t even been provided with an update re investigation.

Stephen Peebles

Director of Hospital Services, University Hospital Monklands,

NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 29/05/2018 at 15:15

Published on Care Opinion at 16:44

Dear LHS
The details regarding the investigation into the comments in your original post are being carried out by our patients affairs team in line with our formal complaints process. I am sorry you have not had an outcome yet but would like to reassure you that the matter is being investigated and you will be contacted by the patient affairs team through the formal process once it is complete.
Yours Sincerely
Stephen Peebles

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Update posted by LHS (the patient) 6 years ago

Thanks Stephen,
When is the formal process likely to be completed?

Lesley Mallon

Risk Management Facilitator, University Hospital Hairmyres,

NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 01/06/2018 at 15:04

Published on Care Opinion on 04/06/2018 at 12:16

Dear LHS
Apologies for the delay in providing you with a response. Our enquiries are still ongoing however upon completion we will write to your home address with our findings. If you require any further information please contact me on 01236 713065.
Kind regards.

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Update posted by LHS (the patient) 6 years ago

Thanks Lesley
When are you likley to write to me? It really has taken some time to date.
Kind regards
LHS

Rick Edwards

Service Manager Surgical & Critical Care, University Hospital Hairmyres,

NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 08/06/2018 at 11:07

Published on Care Opinion at 12:26

Dear LHS,
My colleague Lesley is not in work today, but I have spoken to Stephen and you should receive a written response early next week.
Kind regards
Rick

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