An Unusual Appointment at the Oxford Eye Hospital

Mon 22 Jun, 17:49

Maybe not relevant to the original post but I have the highest praise for the way I was treated by the NHS today. Having waited about 30 min to speak to the oncology team at The Churchill I was advised to contact Chipping Norton Opticians. I phoned at 11.30 and accepted the offer of a 12.40 appointment. As a result of the (very thorough) consultation I was told to contact the (emergency) eye clinic at the JR; this I did and accepted the offered 3.15 appointment. Hardly any waiting there; we were out with some medication before 4.10; drove back to  Charlbury in time for Averose  to dispense my prescription before 5.00 pm.

 Not quite how I had intended to spend my Monday but  good to experience the NHS at its best!

Mon 22 Jun, 12:56

Brian. I have been under the virtual glaucoma clinic once a year since they introduced it a few years ago. It usually means your condition is stable. Along with a yearly appointment to Chipping Norton Opticians, it’s worked well. Chris can look at multiple eye conditions and refer quickly if necessary. This includes sudden changes to a patient’s glaucoma status. However I think it’s only the hospital that can prescribe. The consultant will either phone or call you back if your tests deem it necessary. They do. In my opinion it’s saved a lot of time waiting for the consultant once the tests are finished.

Mon 22 Jun, 11:49

Interesting to read your comment Janet but I am not convinced.

Glaucoma is potentially such a dangerous condition that the prospect of waiting two years for a hospital ‘appointment’ and then three or four months for a report on my condition simply reinforces my view that I am better off going to Chippy Opticians. There I get an immediate report with print outs of the scans and a comprehensive analysis - all talked through with the optometrist.

Fri 19 Jun, 23:17

Brian 

I had a similar experience last October. Arrived at Eye Hospital to be told that it was a "virtual" appointment, which did confuse me as I was at the hospital and did have the various tests. But then able to go - told doctor would review results and contact me. 

A letter with the results was received, though that took longer than 3 weeks, but  Christmas probably got in the way. 

Then I received not one but  2 follow appointments, both on same day,  for April this year - follow ups. So another round of tests and then did see a doctor, though only after a wait of nearly 3 hours! 

So they are operating a different system. But my experience is that it works. 

Fri 19 Jun, 20:11

After my regular glaucoma check-up appointment at the J. R. was pushed back to an interval of two years, I went there recently and was surprised that I did not see a consultant or a doctor. Instead I saw three 'technicians' for a brief sight test & pressure check, an OCT scan and then a field of vision check. I was then told I could leave and the test results would be reviewed in approximately three weeks after which I would receive a letter with the findings. Has anyone else noticed this change at the Eye Hospital? So very different from the comprehensive testing and personal approach I've received for many years at Chipping Norton Opticians.