Our help and guidance section is packed full of useful information, including details from healthcare specialists. When you join the programme one of our health coaches will contact you to help you explore the support that’s available.
What is Worthwhile Waiting?
Worthwhile Waiting is a project designed to provide support to you while you wait for your hospital appointment or specialist treatment. The focus is on making the most of the time you have before your appointment. We will provide opportunities to work with our partner organisations who offer evidence-based information and activities. We will provide you with access to various services aimed at improving your nutritional, physical and emotional wellbeing during what can be a very challenging time.
Why have I been contacted?
You have been contacted because you have recently been referred to a specialist for further investigation. Unfortunately, waiting times can be quite long and we want to minimise the negative impact of this upon your health.
What is involved?
We will provide you with access to several of our partners, each specialising in different areas of health. You will be able to liaise directly with these organisations, while also meeting people in similar situations to yourself.
Additionally, you will have regular contact with one of our health and wellbeing coaches or social prescribing link workers. They will meet with you every eight weeks to evaluate your progress, obtain your feedback and provide referrals to our partner organisations.
We will also ask you to complete some questionnaires at different points throughout your wait. We will provide these at the start, every six months thereafter, and at the end of your waiting period. For example, if you were waiting for 18-months, you would complete four or five questionnaires.
How long will it take?
We will be here to support you throughout the length of your wait. From the moment you receive a referral right up until the day you are seen, we will be here for you.
Is it compulsory?
No, you are not obliged to partake in the programme. However, there is a wealth of scientific evidence that demonstrates the benefits of undergoing programmes like this one while awaiting specialist input, and we strongly encourage you to do so.
Who can I contact for more information?
If you have any questions, queries or concerns, you can contact us by emailing capccg.worthwhilewaiting@nhs.
Who can I ask about appointments I’m waiting for?
The Covid19 pandemic has added to the strain on all NHS services. As a result of this, waiting list times for outpatient and specialist appointments and procedures have increased for everybody.
We appreciate that this can cause worry and uncertainty about when you will eventually receive an appointment. The practice has no direct access to the hospital appointment lists.
If you have been referred by your GP/are waiting for :
An outpatient appointment
An appointment for hospital tests (eg scans)
A date for an operation or other treatment
A follow-up from your hospital team
and you have a query about what is happening, please contact the Patient Helpdesk on 0800 048 5800. The helpdesk is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Only call the practice if your condition has genuinely deteriorated, when you will be reviewed by one of the clinical team and appropriate action can be taken in regard to your care.
An NHS service provided by Meridian Primary Care Network.
If you have a general question about this service then please email us.
Worthwhile Waiting is currently in the pilot stages with a select number of patients.
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