K
KathyKool
Guest
Hi guys
Just looking for a bit of legal advice on a medical issue I have and on whether I have a case…sorry for the long post!
Over the last two years, I have had severe pain in my right hip which consists of both chronic and acute pain.
My GP first referred me for an X-Ray, which showed a “subarticular contusion” and the radiologist advised that it would clear up within 2 weeks. It didn’t and I was then referred to a consultant. He sent me for an MRI approx. two months later and this showed the same damage, obviously not healing.
The pain got worse and indicated far more damage than that shown in the MRI & X-Ray. He then sent me for an arthroscopy to get further scans on the joint. It didn’t show anything further so at this stage I was referred to a second consultant.
The second consultant told me not to worry as he “would fix” me. He brought me in and performed keyhole surgery, “sanding down” some of the cartilage. This operation did not work and the pain has increased considerably since then.
He referred me for another MRI on my hip and an MRI on my back. He then told me that he was at a loss as to what to do now and was going to refer me to a third consultant and do more tests. There was some more damage on the hip, as well as some fluid (which did not show up on previous tests) but this damage was completely inconsistent with the pain I was in.
I asked if there was any way he could do the tests more frequently, as I had the pain for a year and a half at this stage, and he replied quite rudely “No, this is how long these things take”.
This was back in June. I have had no further correspondence with him and have been on to his secretary every few weeks to see what is happening. Each time I was told that the consultant was seeking advice from the new consultant.
About a month ago, I rang to ask (yet again) and was told that, no, there was no third consultant involved, but that I was being referred back to my original consultant and I should expect them to contact me directly with an appointment. I rang the original guy on Thursday and they have not received anything! My consultant’s secretary has confirmed today that she will resend the letter.
At this point, I am considering going to the UK, as it is absolutely ridiculous. I am a private patient and am paying out considerable sums of money only to have them ignore me. I am only 27 and I can’t run, or even walk fast, haven’t slept a full night in over a year (wake up screaming in pain about 5 times on a good night), and the slightest touch can make the leg impossible to stand on.
Two physiotherapists and an osteopath have looked at my hip and deemed the key-hole surgery to have been unnecessary and all believe that this operation has actually exacerbated the injury.
Does anyone know where I stand on this matter legally? Can I force the consultant to look further into the matter or should I report him to the Irish Medical Council? It’s been 4 months with absolutely no communication.
Advice would be most appreciated, thanks!
Just looking for a bit of legal advice on a medical issue I have and on whether I have a case…sorry for the long post!
Over the last two years, I have had severe pain in my right hip which consists of both chronic and acute pain.
My GP first referred me for an X-Ray, which showed a “subarticular contusion” and the radiologist advised that it would clear up within 2 weeks. It didn’t and I was then referred to a consultant. He sent me for an MRI approx. two months later and this showed the same damage, obviously not healing.
The pain got worse and indicated far more damage than that shown in the MRI & X-Ray. He then sent me for an arthroscopy to get further scans on the joint. It didn’t show anything further so at this stage I was referred to a second consultant.
The second consultant told me not to worry as he “would fix” me. He brought me in and performed keyhole surgery, “sanding down” some of the cartilage. This operation did not work and the pain has increased considerably since then.
He referred me for another MRI on my hip and an MRI on my back. He then told me that he was at a loss as to what to do now and was going to refer me to a third consultant and do more tests. There was some more damage on the hip, as well as some fluid (which did not show up on previous tests) but this damage was completely inconsistent with the pain I was in.
I asked if there was any way he could do the tests more frequently, as I had the pain for a year and a half at this stage, and he replied quite rudely “No, this is how long these things take”.
This was back in June. I have had no further correspondence with him and have been on to his secretary every few weeks to see what is happening. Each time I was told that the consultant was seeking advice from the new consultant.
About a month ago, I rang to ask (yet again) and was told that, no, there was no third consultant involved, but that I was being referred back to my original consultant and I should expect them to contact me directly with an appointment. I rang the original guy on Thursday and they have not received anything! My consultant’s secretary has confirmed today that she will resend the letter.
At this point, I am considering going to the UK, as it is absolutely ridiculous. I am a private patient and am paying out considerable sums of money only to have them ignore me. I am only 27 and I can’t run, or even walk fast, haven’t slept a full night in over a year (wake up screaming in pain about 5 times on a good night), and the slightest touch can make the leg impossible to stand on.
Two physiotherapists and an osteopath have looked at my hip and deemed the key-hole surgery to have been unnecessary and all believe that this operation has actually exacerbated the injury.
Does anyone know where I stand on this matter legally? Can I force the consultant to look further into the matter or should I report him to the Irish Medical Council? It’s been 4 months with absolutely no communication.
Advice would be most appreciated, thanks!