What to expect when waiting for care
If you or a loved one is waiting for care, read below to find out what healthcare staff should be doing when contacting you.
Communications from healthcare staff should:
Be personalised to you and not just a generic response
When you’re contacted by healthcare staff about your upcoming appointment, they should provide honest information about your next steps. You must be made aware of realistic timescales and what to expect while you wait so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
Put you at ease around safety concerns regarding COVID-19
Significant steps have been taken to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission while in hospitals. But, if you have any concerns about your safety while in hospital, you should be given contact details to discuss these concerns with a healthcare professional.
Use clear language
When healthcare staff contact you, the language they use should be clear, accessible and easy to understand – whether that’s by letter, email or on the phone. Of course, sometimes technical terms are needed, but these should always be explained to you first.
Share their decision making
You should be part of the conversation when decisions around your health are being made. Healthcare staff should support you to make the right decisions for you and outline the risks and benefits of going ahead with, cancelling or delaying your procedure.
Share your experience
Are you one of the five million people waiting for NHS hospital treatment? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait. Everything you tell us is confidential and will help the NHS understand how it can better support people waiting for treatment like you. So, whether your experience is good or bad – we want to hear it.
Be transparent around delays and cancellations
When contacted regarding a delay or cancellation to your appointment, you should be provided with a clear reason and information about what happens next. Healthcare professionals must be open and honest with you and give a realistic timescale when you should expect to hear from them again. Further support should be provided to you to help you manage your condition whilst waiting for care. This could be information about or access to other health and care services, or access to pain relief. Above all, it should be clear who you should contact if your condition deteriorates. Your safety should always be the priority.
If you are waiting for an operation and this gets cancelled for a non-clinical reason on the day you were due for surgery, your hospital should offer you another fixed date within 28 days or fund your treatment at a date and hospital of your choice.
Be in your preferred way of communication
Information around your upcoming care should be easy to access and provide you with the option to ask questions. It's essential that you receive information in the way you prefer. This can often be via phone but alternative options should be available for anyone with specific language or communication needs.
Not getting the support you need?
Here are a few organisations that’ll be able to help:
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
The CSP have a range of resources you can use, including information on managing pain at home.
https://www.csp.org.uk/public-patient
Endometriosis UK
Endometriosis UK run a support network to offer those affected by endometriosis the support and information they need to understand the condition and take control.
https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/get-support
ESCAPE-pain
ESCAPE is a method for managing either knee and hip pain or back pain.
Islington Mind
Waiting for treatment can affect your mental health. Mind has information and resources about where to go for support.
https://www.islingtonmind.org.uk/
Stroke Association
Find local support groups and advice to support your recovery from a stroke.
Versus Arthritis
Versus Arthritis run a helpline, manage an online community and have a range of resources to help you manage your condition.
