Appointment 15th December, Dr John Rhine, Herne Bay

No your appointment in Herne Bay still stands. Hayley Smith's clinic is just that I believe - an assessment clinic run by hand surgery for diagnostic purposes, leading on to subsequent treatment at a later point. It sounds as though your GP has perhaps referred you to two different places simultaneously (me and the William Harvey) and the William Harvey line of referral is just grinding into action now. The other possibility is that the William Harvey appointment is for something entirely different but I would guess that the appointment letter probably gives you no clues as to exatly what it is for? So far as I am concerned you just need to turn up for Dr Rine in Herne Bay as planned but if you want to call the Harvey and enquire what the appointment is about and whether it is needed then you can - there should be a number on the appointment letter though you may have trouble getting through to anyone other than the patient service centre who probably cannot answer a clinical question like that themselves - no harm in trying though. The other thing I can do is draw Hayley Smith's attention to this posting and I will try to do that. JB

It could possibly be a duplicate referral but could also me for something else. If you ring the appointments line they probably will not be able to help you as they will not have the referral letter in front of them to tell you why you have been referred and if they did they would not be able to make the clinical decision as to whether you should attend it or not. The best option is to speak to the referrer (I am guessing your GP) to see why you have been referred. If you have no luck I would suggest you do attend it just in case if is for something else.

Dr Bland, thank you for your help. Eventually got through to Fracture Clinic and it appears it has been double booked by Hospital as GP only booked with you! I have cancelled William Harvey and will be in Herne Bay as booked - thank you.

Seems a little odd. GP referrals to me for the CTS clinic come direct to me on a special form usually and do not generally pass through other hospital administration. I'm glad we seem to have sorted it out though. JB

After sorting out the duplicate appointment I was this morning sitting doing my 'essential' jobs i.e face and hair and began trying with my left hand! If I was simply staying in the house and just letting my partner do the essential housework it would not be so bad but we have christmas and more importantly a New Year Cruise on the Rheine for which we leave on the 29th December! I am thinking I was rather silly booking the operation before Christmas and would be very grateful if you would cancel the 1st and 15 December and re-book for sometime in the New Year. I would still like to go to Herne Bay if possible and I apologise for messing around ! I can see you raising your eyebrows and thinking "women"!
I look forward to hearing from you.

It's up to you of course but personally I would get it out of the way before you set off for Germany. I won't move you from the current dates until tomorrow at least. JB

Thank you for your comment but I am worried about how much use I will have with my right hand and I think to give me peace of mind it would be best to move it to in the New Year. I am back on the 2nd January so any time after that, I have no arrangements.

Dr Bland, As I have cancelled my December appointment, will I receive a new appointment from you on-line or through the post, and will you be able to give me a new appointment for the New Year before Christmas or will I have to wait until the New Year? I only ask this as we have been talking about holidays for the New Year and it would be really useful if I could get another appointment fixed so I can work round it! Thank you. Joan Taylor

I've provisionally moved you to 16th February - with pre-op assessment on 2nd February and stitch removal on 2nd March. JB

Thank you very much. Joan Taylor