The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) carries out outpatient appointments, day procedures and inpatient admissions. Patients are predominantly from Norfolk and north Suffolk, although some patients are referred from further afield especially to access specialist services.
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2004 responses from the local community
Referral Ophthalmology
1
Submitted by Anonymous31st January 2023
After waiting being on a waiting list for 50weeks, I finally had an appt. I was referred by my optician to have a naevus looked at and narrowing angles.
I was only given an appt for the naevus. I had not been put on a waiting list for the other as two requests were put on one referral. My optician was not informed. I then had to to be re-referred after I had to chase this. I was out through on a rapid waiting list (18weeks) as I had already waited over a year. I rang the appt line to see where I was in the queue and was told I had been downgraded to routine waiting list which is currently at 34 weeks. So I have now been waiting 15months, with another 8 months to wait. All of which could have been avoided if the optician had been notified earlier that they needed to do 2 referrals. Not impressed as none of this is my fault. What s the point in even referring patients?
Submitted by Collected by a Healthwatch Norfolk member of staff15th December 2022
When my son was 9 day's old we had to spend 7 months in Great Ormond street and the staff here are a lot better. We have to come every 3-6 months. Staff here know him and listen to me more then at Great Ormond street and I have more faith in them, the induction of zoom calls with the consultant, so we do not have to travel to London has been helpful. When staying as an inpatient although we always feel supported, one of us had to be her at all times with our son which is hard as he has an older brother we also have to look after, if we wanted to leave we would have to give a weeks notice, which is not always possible as somethings things just crop up with our other son.
The playtime is really good and has helped our older son who often feels left out of things as all the focus is on our younger ones care, they have also introduced us to another family in a similar situation which has been helpful. There is not much out there to support my older boy as he is not bereaved which can be frustrating.
If I won the lottery I would make the parents room a lot more inviting and welcoming. The chairs in the out patients waiting area are hard and uncomfortable and it would be nice it they put the TV on for the children.
Submitted by collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff9th December 2022
We see the same consultant, and are long termers here. Given the cuts, the kindness never changes. Reception can be a bit brisk but that is to me and not my daughter so I can take that.
The biggest problem is the sensory overload in here. I know there are two other areas I can wait in but I don't know if all parents know about them. It is usually difficult in here, but now with the Christmas lights and music maybe they could make the quiet rooms a bit clearer to everyone that they are there.
This is not a reflection of the care we have had, just an awareness to have. Keeping children occupied is difficult. I understand clinics over run but some of the things in the waiting area are not accessible to all, for example children with sensory or physical needs are not catered for. It can be an hour or more wait and if they had wifi that we could use with our own tablet and earphones it would help. And if they do have wifi for us they don't have signs up to say they do.
Parking is also an issue, we can't take a bus or walk or use the multi story as my daughter cannot walk that far and I dread coming here. We leave half an hour early to allow for driving round looking for an accessible space. there are four children's bays which are often used by other people. There are 12 bays at West Norwich for the children's clinic, we are not eligible for a disabled badge but we need a guarantee we can park close by.
The staff here are all fantastic, it is clean, everyone is kind. But those few things for older children coming in would mean the world. Overall - they are awesome.
Submitted by collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff9th December 2022
I think generally they are brilliant, you can't fault them at the Jenny Lind. The staff are friendly I have never had a problem. Waiting times are not too bad, you expect a wait as parents often have a lot of questions so I totally understand. One Christmas time my son had to have an MRI and an Xray and the MRI was decorated with stickers for the children and he was given a present when he got out and a selection box after his xray and it is little things like that that make this whole thing more approachable for the children and gives lasting nicer memories.
Submitted by Collected by a Healthwatch Norfolk member of staff8th December 2022
We are in the process of becoming the guardians to a young boy, he currently lives with us, at the moment when we have appointments one of his parents has to be here, his Dad lives an hour away but will always try and get here, his mum doesn't make the effort, all the appointment letters go to the mother and we have been told a copy cannot go to the father and because of this several appointments have been missed, two at Addenbrookes where we have now been told we cannot have another because of the missed two. If the father could just be copied into the information we can get him there but we are just told it's not possible to produce two appointment letters. I will say the staff at outpatients are very good, but getting in touch can be hard and wait times can be long.
When the boy was born he was starved of oxygen which has lead to his condition of cerebral palsy. The birth was horrific and when the complaint was made the department had lost the paperwork so nothing could be done.
We found that when they trained one of us to give medication through a tube they were told they did not have to flush between, when I knew you had to and they got angry with me when I questioned it. When he had to stay as an inpatient we had terrible problems with his discharge, we were waiting for an assessment which had not been requested.
Outpatients though is very good.
Submitted by Collected by a Healthwatch Norfolk member of staff8th December 2022
My Dr is really nice, she treats me like I am her daughter and a family member, I always see the same person which is good.
For the last 3 years I have been coming here every 2 months, I feel like they really care about me and look after me. The appointments are normally on time.
Submitted by collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff8th December 2022
We came to the N+N 3 years ago as my child was struggling with asthma and we are now having a follow up 3 years on. We just got a letter through the post so we have come along today not knowing what to expect I feel like they are just getting us off the books, no calls or visits or anything prior to this. I do understand the wait due to covid but the communication hasn't been great
Submitted by collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff8th December 2022
I think our experiences have been good as a whole, the care is consistent and good and the Dr is always nice. But our appointments are often late, like 45-50 minutes which affects other stuff like getting back to work and nursery.
Submitted by Collected by a Healthwatch Norfolk member of staff8th December 2022
Once you get seen, it's alright. They have been extremely thorough with my 8 year old great grandchild who I am guardian for. Everything is explained well.
I think the NHS comes under a lot of unwarranted criticism.
Submitted by collected by Healthwatch Norfolk staff8th December 2022
We have been coming here for two years and it has been a positive experience. The staff are all polite and we have been well cared for especially with the limitations and back logs. The communications are good here the letters are clear and understandable.