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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

 

Sorry you can't have an appointment you're dead

'Sorry, you can't have an appointment... you're dead!': Hospital refuses to see cancer sufferer because he's 'deceased'

Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:11 AM on 16th June 2010

 

 

 

A cancer sufferer was told he could not book a hospital appointment - because records showed he was dead. 

Alan Campbell rang a booking system phone line after becoming worried that the disease may have spread to his throat. 

But when he tried to make an appointment with the NHS Choose and Book system, a telephone operator informed him their records showed him as 'deceased'. 

Distressed: Alan Campbell tried to book a hospital appointment only to be told by an NHS booking service that he was 'deceased'   

Despite trying to convinced the operator he was alive, the 63-year-old widower was unable to make an appointment and now fears the delay in seeing a consultant could affect his diagnosis. 

Mr Campbell, from Little Harwood, Blackburn, visited his doctor when he began suffering from throat pains. His GP gave him a code which enabled him to make an appointment over the phone. 

Mr Campbell, who has undergone three operations to treat skin cancer on his cheek and nose in the past six years, said: 'It is unbelievable that they could get something like this so wrong.' 

'When I rang to take take the appointment I was told, 'Sorry, we can't give you an appointment, our records show you are deceased'. 

'I said 'you're joking, I'm talking to you aren't I?' But they said 'you'll have to go back to your GP to get it sorted out'.'   

'I couldn't believe it. I was flabbergasted. I'm not one for complaining, but when somebody says you're dead its not on.' 

Mr Campbell, who has also survived a stroke and a heart attack, contacted his doctor and was told the problem had been resolved - only to phone the Choose and Book system again to be told their records still showed he was dead.

'He kept saying go back to your GP and I said I've been there already. But he said it about four or five times.

'It is a stressful enough time not knowing what is causing the pain in my throat without having to go through all this. 

'It's only three-and-a-half years since I lost my wife Christine and it brought things back. It was very painful.' 

NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus, in Lancashire, which is responsible for the phone service, has now apologised for the error. 

Mr Campbell has been told he will contacted within 14 days to arrange an appointment with an oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist. 

'I've missed an appointment this month through their fault. I'm taking synthetic saliva and a liquid drink to ease the pain. When I wake up sometimes my mouth is that dry I can't open it properly to talk. I'm worried I won't wake up. 

'They've been very good over the years at the surgery and the hospital, so I don't know what was the problem now.' 

NHS Blackburn said it was trying to find an appointment as early as possible for Alan 

Janice Horrocks, executive director of Engagement Partnerships and Operational Development, said they were investigating the case, adding: 'We are sorry for the distress experienced by this patient 

'We would like to reassure patients that using the Choose and Book system, which allows you to choose the hospital, time and date of your appointment, remains the fastest route to getting the quickest and most convenient hospital appointment for the care that you need.'

 

Link to photo

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1287018/Sorry-appointment--youre-dead--Hospital-refuses-cancer-sufferer-appointment-deceased.html#ixzz0r4ZP2nVU


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