Community health Watchdog to investigate Waiting Times

THE EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE LINk is to look into an area of health and social care concern that will be an issue for most people - waiting times! And the health watchdog wants your stories and experiences to help carry out its task.

The latest newsletter from the ERYLINk (Local Involvement Network) says that Monitoring of Waiting Times for Health and Social Care will be one of the major issues that the group's leaders will concentrate on in the coming months.

Under the NHS constitution you have the right to start consultant-led treatment within a maximum of eighteen weeks from being referred by a GP. If it is not possible to be seen within the maximum waiting time, then this must be investigated and you must be offered a range of suitable alternative options.

Patients with urgent conditions such as cancer and heart disease, should be seen and receive treatment more quickly. For example, you have the right to be seen by a specialist within a maximum of two weeks from GP referral where cancer is suspected. The Government has also made a pledge that there should be a maximum four-hour wait in A&E (Accident and Emergency Departments) from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge.

But what is the reality on the ground? What is your experience of waiting times? Is the 18 weeks rule of relevance to you? How long have you been kept waiting in A&E? And what is the experience of waiting times for social care?

If you have a view on this and a story to share for the ERYLINk study - then contact them at:

ERYLINk Office
Challenge House
35 Eastgate North
Driffield East Riding of Yorkshire
YO256DG
Telephone: 01377 232135 or 232136

Email: erylink@hwrcc.org.uk
Website: www.erylink.org.uk

NOTE FOR DIARIES: The ERYLINk is holding a meeting of its Lead Group in the Holderness area on Tuesday 15th November 2011.