Waiting
I wrote the date and time in my diary and, when the day came, I waited and waited. I carried my ‘phone with me in case ‘Chris’ called – I didn’t want to keep him waiting, with him probably being a busy man and all that – but no call came. It didn’t worry or annoy me – my ‘medication’ is only for eye drops and is well-monitored with annual ophthalmology appointments at hospital departments which are wandering geographically from county to county in a search for the most efficient setting. The most recent was in Aldershot, ‘The Home of the British Army’.
The ophthalmology appointment was conducted very smoothly and the ophthalmologist was most complimentary, so much so that I wondered if her eyes needed testing. I am grateful to the optician (optometrist?) who detected a potential problem ten years ago (at least!) and referred me. I don’t like having my eyes closely examined, but it’s a small price to pay to make sure they remain healthy and problem-free.
Meanwhile, I wait to find out if I am commanded again to make an appointment ‘ASAP’ and give grateful thanks for the healthy genes my parents gave me. I just hope I’m not tempting Providence. Superstitious? Never!
Are all eye practices that hopeless, overworked and understaffed? Is there any other practice you can try?
ReplyDeleteIt's the G.P. practices that are being 'blended'. Opticians are good. Opthalmology departments are good but keep changing location.
DeleteSometimes "more effective" comes only after a bit of "less effective" :) My optometrist was described as "very capable" by the locum ophthalmologist who did my cataract operations (in case I needed followup after he was finished with his locum). That was good to hear, I must say. Sounds like yours was cut from the same cloth.
ReplyDeleteYes, and I'm grateful for that. Eye tests are free for children and for people over the age of 40.
Delete'...more effective...' doesn't seem to be working so well.
ReplyDeleteThey'll get there in the end, though I'm not convinced that 'centralising' is always the best solution.
DeleteThe merging of several practices is going to take some time before things run smoothly so there is likely to be even more waiting time for all concerned. I hope it all doesn't take too long.
ReplyDeleteI had my eyes tested last Wednesday..10 o'clock...
ReplyDeleteIt's really great..they do them, while you wait..! :).
Quite a few years ago, l bought three pairs of
glasses off the market, just for reading maybe....
They cost me £2.50 each pair...so every year l
go for a test, the optician asks me if l'm still using
them, there 200 strength, he's o.k. with me using
them, and not trying to sell me glasses at £200~
£300 a pair...though for me the lens would be free!
He said my eyes were fine, no problems...at least
there still either side of my nose...so that's good..! :O).
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Good to know that all is still where it should be!
DeleteHi Janice - it's good they follow up - some I don't worry about, because I know it's unnecessary ... like you I'm healthy. However recently I've had some encouraging follow-ups from the docs and am exceedingly lucky with the docs practice. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that your practice is working well. So many aren't.
DeleteGood luck to anyone whose health care doesn't have a backup plan. It has taken over 5 months for Mr B to get an appointment you see a real person to assess and deal with his illiotibial issues. Meanwhile he can't walk and is in considerable pain. I would go private at that point and offered to pay for him to do so but he steadfastly refused. His funeral. He is a free agent and is allowed to choose.
ReplyDeleteI hope it resolves quickly now, though fear that the ball has barely started rolling for him. Poor man.
DeleteGlad it went easy for you. I am grateful I had an exam in May and also
ReplyDeletegrateful I delayed shopping for new glasses at that time. They cost too much to have destroyed new ones and then replace 2 weeks ago, lol.
We don't buy our glasses at the opticians. There are numbers of online suppliers who are very helpful and a lot cheaper. They will also replace lenses in existing glasses.
ReplyDeleteOur health service works a bit different from the NHS, but getting an appointment at my GP practice does require the patience of a saint. Meanwhile, at the ophthalmologist's practice, I had to wait for almost an hour and a half after my appointed time to finally be seen. And waiting isn't exactly my biggest virtue! xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's shocking, Ann. It happens here, too - that's why we're called 'patients'.
DeleteI'll remember that :-) xxx
DeleteAfter a particular age, generally 50, its better to have periodic, at least once a year, health check-up. It's always nice to know all is well, but it's also good know if there are any red flags popping up without our knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThat is true, but doctors sometimes seem to think that because a person is a 'certain age' they 'should' be prescribed medication they may not necessarily need, like statins.
ReplyDelete