r/nhs • u/Enough-Ad3818 • Nov 04 '23

FAQs - Recruitment

18 Upvotes

This thread will be updated as and when more questions are asked frequently!

Jobs are advertised at the following places:

NHS Scotland: https://jobs.scot.nhs.uk/

NHS England and NHS Wales: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/

NHS Northern Ireland: https://jobs.hscni.net/

Advert

The advert will give you basic information about the role and the Trust. The most important parts are the Job Description and the Person Spec. These will give you a much more details explanation as to what the job will entail and what kind of person the role will require.

The advert will also include the contact details for the hiring manager. This person is the best resource for any questions you may have about the job. What's the day to day workload like? How big is the team? What's the department hierarchy like? How is the department faring at the current time? Where has this vacancy come from, a new post, or has someone vacated it? The hiring manager can answer all of these, and they are also a good place to get information that may help you with your application and potential interview.

Application

Applications are often hosted by TRAC, the recruitment software used by NHS England, or JobTrain in NHS Scotland. You will need to fill out your qualifications and experience, as well as declare any convictions etc.

The most important part of the application is the Support Information. This area requires you to explain how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Spec. Try to keep it relatively to the point, as there's usually two dozen or so criteria in all, and you're best bet is to try and show where you've had experience in each of the criteria. If you haven't got any experience in that area, then try to show where you've done something similar, or do some research in what you would need to do to get that skill/experience. It's fine to acknowledge that you don't have that skill/experience but that you know what to do to acquire it.

Do not use AI to create this part of the application, as it is really obvious and so many applicants do this that the applications that stand out the most are the candidates that DON'T use this method. The AI is also not able to deliver the information quite as well as you can, and often uses very wordy and flourishing descriptions that are wholly unnecessary.

Shortlisting

When the advert closes, the hiring manager will usually complete shortlisting within a week. Shortlisting involves scoring the applications and placing them into three categories:

  • Interview - these applications have been selected to attend an interview
  • Interview Reserve - these applications are on a reserve list and will be offered an interview should any of the interviewees withdraw. This category usually involves the candidate not being told anything as they're not invited for interview, nor rejects, which can lead to a feeling of confusion as to what is happening.
  • Reject - these applications will be rejected and the candidates will be informed by email as soon as the interview details are set.

Interview

Every hiring manager will interview differently. Every role requires different skills and abilities, so it's very difficult to know what will be in the interviews. When you are sent the interview invite, it should state if a test or presentation is required. Obviously, we at r/NHS cannot tell anyone what kinds of questions are going to be asked in the interview. These are written by the recruiting manager and so are specific to that post in that organisation.

For preparation, look up the Trust, and get some information on their values. Do some homework on the services provided by that Trust and any major milestones they may have had. How many staff do they employ, and what catchment area to they cover? Although this information is not specific to the role you've applied for, it is useful to know more about the organisation you're trying to work for, and I know several managers ask questions where this kind of information would be very beneficial.

Dress smart. Ties are not essential and are actually considered an infection control risk in hospitals (which is why you dont really see clinical staff wearing them), but this isn't a problem in an interview. Essentially, it's up to you if you wish to wear one. Wearing clothing that's too casual does not give a good impression, so put a bit of effort in to show you are taking the interview seriously.

It is up to you if you wish to take notes into the interview with you. It's usually best to confirm if that's OK with the hiring manager before you start referencing them.

Try to ensure you have a couple of questions to ask when the opportunity arises. Pay is not really a topic for this part of the process. The job advert will state what band the role is, and this isn't something that's very negotiable. If you're a successful candidate, then you can make a request to be started higher up the band, if you have a lot of skills and experience that would justify it.

Results

At the end of the interview, the panel should explain what the next steps are, but more importantly, when you should expect to hear from them regarding the results. Don't despair if you don't hear anything on the day that was stated. Remember the panel have day jobs they're trying to do as well as this recruitment process. Sometimes it's tough to get the panel back together to review the interviews and scores.

If you've not heard a result a few days after the day that was stated, then reach out to the hiring manager to get an update. The top candidate needs to accept or reject the role before the results can be filtered through to the rest of the field of candidates. Sometimes people take a long time to do this, and whilst this happens, everyone else is hanging on waiting for news. From a candidate's perspective, it's best if you know what your response would be before you know the result. That way, you're not wasting anyone's time.

Next steps

The hiring manager informs the Recruitment Team of the results, and the hiring process begins. You will be given a conditional offer that outlines the specifics of the role whilst the relevant checks take place. These involve confirming your ID, getting references, getting an Occ Health report etc. The usual delays are from your references and getting their response. You can help this along by contacting your references as soon as you know you are successful, and make them aware that they will be contacted regarding your reference. Occ Health can also be a delay as there's simply not enough of them for the amount of recruitment each Trust is trying to do, so they nearly always have a backlog.

When all the checks are completed, you'll be contacted to arrange a start date, and you'll be given your official contract to sign. This is you accepting the role and start date.

Usually, from interview result to arranging a start date is approx 7-10 weeks. If you are an internal candidate, this is much shorter.

Last updated 07.08.25

11 comments

r/nhs • u/DrawingDragoon • Oct 30 '24

Support FAQs - Accessing medical records

3 Upvotes

This thread will be updated as and when more questions are asked frequently!

This information pertains to NHS Providers in England. There may be some variation in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

"What are my rights with regards to accessing copies of my information?"

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in conjunction with the Data Protection Act 2018, gives everyone the right to apply for access to their medical records.

Source

"Who do I contact to request copies of my medical records?"

A request for information from medical records has to be made with the organisation that holds your records – the data controller. For example, your GP practice, optician or dentist. For hospital records, contact the records manager or patient services manager at the relevant hospital trust. You can find a list of hospital trusts and their contact details here.

Source

"How to I request copies of my medical records?"

Your request must be made in writing to the appropriate healthcare provider.

Some healthcare providers will have a specific request form that you must fill out, they may also ask for verification of your identity.

You will often be able to submit your request by email or by post.

"What should I request with regards to my medical records?"

You should state that you require a copy of your medical records and specify whether you would like all or part of your records.

"Are NHS organisations allowed to charge a fee for providing access to my health data?"

No. There are no special rules which allow organisations to charge fees if they are complying with a SAR for health data.

Source

"Can I be denied access to my health records?"

Under Schedule 3 of the Data Protection Act 2018there are certain circumstances in which full access to a patient’s health record may be denied. These include cases where the release is likely to cause serious harm to the physical or mental health of the patient or another individual. Prior to release, the data controller for the records should consult with either a health professional responsible for the individual or someone with the experience and qualifications to advise accordingly.

Source

"Can I access medical records on behalf of someone else?"

Health and care records are confidential so a person can only access someone else’s records if they are authorised to do so. To access someone else’s health records, a person must:

  • be acting on their behalf with their consent, or
  • have legal authority to make decisions on their behalf (i.e. power of attorney), or
  • have another legal basis for access

Source

"Can I request to amend my medical records if they are inaccurate?"

Yes. If you think that the health or care information in your records is factually inaccurate, you have a legal right to ask for your records to be amended. For instance, you can ask for your home address to be changed because you moved house. You may also ask for something you feel has been inaccurately recorded, such as a diagnosis, to be corrected. However, it may not be possible to agree to your request.

Health and care professionals have a legal duty and professional responsibility to keep health and care records accurate and up to date. However, mistakes in record keeping can occasionally happen.

Patients and service users have the right to request for their records to be rectified if they feel inaccurate information is held about them. They may make a request concerning:

  • demographic information, for example, wrong date of birth recorded
  • their opinion on the health or care information within their record, for example, they may not agree with the initial diagnosis given to them

You can read more from the ICO on "Right to rectification" here

A request can be made either by speaking to staff or in writing. You may need to provide evidence of the correct details, for example proof of address or change of surname after marriage. The organisation will then consider the request. Where organisations agree to make a change, they should make it as soon as practically possible, but in any event within one month.

Source

"How long are medical records retained?"

Retention periods vary per record type. You can Search the minimum record retention period here.

3 comments

r/nhs • u/Mysteriousplanet2025 • 21m ago

Recruitment Band 5 School NHS SLT interview - assessment centre + interview tips?

• Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I’ve got an interview for a Band 5 NHS School Speech and Language Therapist role, and it’s literally my dream job.

I have just over 2 years of paediatric SLT experience.
The process is a little different as the first day is an assessment centre with a group task, and only successful candidates will be invited back for the panel interview the next day.

Last week I interviewed for another Band 5 NHS role, but unfortunately I wasn’t successful. I received feedback that I needed to give more detailed answers, use more examples, and structure my responses better. I was also extremely nervous, and it’s really knocked my confidence. Now this interview feels so important that I’m worried I’ll let my nerves get the better of me again.💔💔😔

If you’ve been through a children’s NHS Band 5 interview or assessment centre or anything similar, I’d really appreciate any advice.
What was the group assessment like?
What were the interview questions?
What were they looking for?
Any tips for managing nerves?

Is it actually possible to get an NHS band 5 job?

Thank you so much!

1 comment

r/nhs • u/mittens107 • 16h ago

Complaints Family member accessing medical records

17 Upvotes

I’m just posting to get some clarification on what steps I need to take to report this. I have a family member who go works as a receptionist at a GP surgery. On a few occasion, they have made comments and attempted to “triage” (as she calls it) some family’s health in a way that made me suspect they have been accessing records. Most recently, however, they verbatim said “I looked at his records and it says xyz” when discussing an elderly family members health after a hospital visit and difficult diagnosis. I would normally report directly to their practice manager, however I don‘t know what surgery she works at. What would be the best course of action here?

13 comments

r/nhs • u/navi3702 • 5h ago

Process Is there a realistic referral pathway for me?

1 Upvotes

Hi all, would appreciate your thoughts on this matter.

I am a third year medical student transferring to Scotland for my clinical years. For context, I had a second sarcoma recurrence earlier this year (originally diagnosed in 2021 and achieved full remission, first recurrence 2024 and also achieved full remisson). I underwent definitive surgery and currently am NED on adjuvant chemotherapy which I am tolerating quite well.

When the university found out about my condition, they heavily encouraged me to defer, which was an option I considered before declaring my condition. However, I had weighed the pros and cons and decided that the best way forward is to continue with my studies. A full years accommodation have been paid for in advance, I am quite well functionally and socially (3-5km runs, no neutropenia), and my treating consultant has written a support letter stating my fitness to study. I also barely missed classes and participated in >95% of my home institution’s activities for my first and second year of medical school. I did well academically, and all the while they did not realize I was going through anything until I told them myself. I have had this condition for so long, it is part of my life, and I don’t see it as a health vs academics issue. I am able to handle both and I have their support and witness to this.

Furthermore, a deferment would result in significant consequences such as financial ramifications for my family who has to support me another year (I have already lost two years total as a result of my disease), and psychological impact on having my batch mates move on and having no friends when I enrol again after my deferment. That being said, I appreciate the university’s concern and that they have a genuine desire to see me succeed. I also acknowledge that they have to make their own assessment of the matter.

While I am unsure if a period of deferment could be enforced by the university, or if me turning up to enroll despite their “recommendation” could strain relations between me and the university, that is not the main issue. The main issue is this - my current treating consultant has a personal contact in a sarcoma specialist hospital in England that she has referred me to. I, however, am based in Scotland. I am aware of the complications within the NHS. In the case that I am allowed to come by the university itself, is there a realistic referral pathway for me from registering at my local GP in Scotland to getting my final cycles of treatment at a specialist hospital in England?

3 comments

r/nhs • u/Merrythought14 • 10h ago

Process Physio Referral refused?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone :)

I recently went to my GP about joint pain/limb numbness that I've had issues with since childhood, and it has been worsening quite a lot more recently, and they referred me over for a physio assessment.

I went to the physio assessment and they looked at me for about 5 minutes tops and then said that the NHS wouldnt accept a referall for me to have physio for "general aches and pains", only if I had a specific issue or injury in one area or a diagnoses. The Physio assessor then just kept mentioning a good private clinic i could go to instead, several times, and that was it for the appointment. I have a lot of medical anxiety and struggle to even go to doctors appointments unless im feeling truly awful, so i also struggle to push things further or advocate for myself, so i did feel really distraught/disappointed after the appointment with no help.

I was just wondering if this is normal? Has anyone else been met with the same issue? Can you really not get a Physio referal for joint issues? I slightly understand not wanting to refer for something undiagnosed I suppose, but then I'm also confused on how you're meant to get a diagnoses if you cant go to see anyone.

I've booked a session privately now anyway, as I'm honestly just sick of being in pain all the time, so hopefully they may be able to help, but just curious on others experiences.

Thanks!

2 comments

r/nhs • u/BeneficialRole9655 • 18h ago

Process Consultant refused to give me my CT scan and told me to contact PALS instead. Is that normal?

5 Upvotes

The lung consultant told me that I, as the patient, can’t ask her for my CT scan result and she can’t send it to me. Instead, she said I have to contact a service called PALS, which I’ve never heard of, to request my own scan.

Is that normal? A doctor friend told me that I should be able to request my own medical reports directly from the lung specialist but she said she couldn’t provide me with my CT scan.

Could you please advise whether this is standard practice, or whether I should be able to obtain my CT scan directly?

Side note: In what crazy world does a third-party private company have access to my CT scan before I do, and that I apparently have to ask them for a copy of my own medical imaging.

28 comments

r/nhs • u/Otherwise_Radish7975 • 16h ago

Process 3 month wait for gastro biopsy results the norm now?

0 Upvotes

I want to preface this with the fact everyone in the NHS I've come into contact with in my life so far has been brilliant in terms of their individual efforts and I have huge respect for all NHS workers.

I've been waiting nearly 3 months now for gastro biopsy results and I'm really confused why this particular part of the process is so lengthy. Overall its been 6 months since seeing the GP to this stage. So in the first 3 months I got GPs appointment, bloods, follow up call, gastroscopy booked in and done. Which to be honest given all the pressure on the NHS I feel isn't bad at all.

But I must admit I'm struggling to understand now why when I ring up now every week or so, I'm getting told that they are really sorry for the wait and will chase up the consultant and then hear nothing. If the biopsy samples are processed and tested, by the sound of it the results interpreted and I'm just waiting on a letter to be drawn up / signed off, can't they just tell me the results on the phone or something?

Sorry to sound negative. At the end of the day I know there will be other higher priorities than mine, but I feel like it would be good to understand a bit more about what kind of pressures and blockers departments like gastroenterology are facing - is it just sheer lack of available qualified staff? And is this kind of wait the norm for this kind of thing now? I was told 8 weeks max. but its dragging on...

1 comment

r/nhs • u/Dinth • 14h ago

Complaints NHS rant

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone. I'm Polish, but I’ve been living in the UK for almost 20 years now. I genuinely used to believe that Polish public healthcare was really bad, but lately, I’ve had to deal with the NHS more often, and I’m starting to reconsider that.

1. The new digital GP registration system is horrible. I wanted to book an appointment for my little one, so I sent a message in the morning. They messaged back via the NHS app asking if I preferred a telephone or in-person appointment. I replied that we needed an in-person appointment. Then, radio silence for the next 8 hours. At 5:30 PM, an appointment suddenly appeared in the NHS app for 5:40 PM - with zero notifications sent and just a 10-minute heads-up! Thankfully, I was really fuming at that time and had been constantly checking the app. The worst part is they say that if you miss an appointment, they might remove you from the patient list! This is the third time we've had this exact issue since the online system was introduced. On another occasion, my child had an infection, so we needed to bring a urine sample to the appointment. We only found that out during the appointment itself because there was no mention of it anywhere in the app beforehand.

2. As a cybersecurity specialist, online privacy matters a lot to me. When online registration was first introduced, our surgery put a link to Accurx on their website (thank goodness I bookmarked it). A few weeks later, they removed the Accurx link and replaced it with a third-party mobile app link. Accurx link was gone, nowhere to be found. This mobile app requires a separate registration and shares data via NHS APIs with a company likely based somewhere like the Bahamas. Meanwhile, it’s been almost a year since the NHS made online appointment systems mandatory (which led my surgery to adopt them), yet the official NHS mobile app still can't be used to book these appointments - even though it uses the exact same APIs as the third-party apps that can.

3. The struggle to get a basic pediatric blood test. My 3-year-old needs a blood test. Because of her age, my surgery can't draw blood, so it has to be done at the hospital. However, online booking for hospital appointments doesn't work for 3-year-olds. I was advised to call the hospital's booking line and was given a number. I tried calling hundreds of times over 5 days, and nobody ever answered. Finally, today I took a half-day off work and went to the hospital in person at 4:30 PM. I was told the person managing those bookings had just left for the day, though they confirmed the number was correct and had no idea why no one answered for 5 days. I was promised that the booking manager would call me tomorrow - but I was warned that the nearest available slots to get blood drawn is in mid-September, two months away.

4. Complete brush-off for chronic joint injury. As a teenager back in Poland, I had a motorcycle accident - I tore my posterior cruciate ligament completely and my medial collateral ligament partially. This left me in cast for about 2 months and then on very long rehab - but the only surgery i had was removing blood from the knee a couple of times. Now that I'm getting older, my knee has started giving me serious grief: it hyperextends slightly, can be pulled loose, and worst of all, occasionally triggers unbearable pain for days or a week at a time. When it flares up, I can barely walk and it is completely impossible to step up onto a stair or step. I went to my GP, explained the history, and was stunned to be told they "can't do anything about it" and that I should just take paracetamol when it hurts.

12 comments

r/nhs • u/RealMoths • 16h ago

Complaints Why is accessing the NHS such a joke?

0 Upvotes

It takes me about half an hour to be able to blow my nose because of various ailments I have reported over the years (I'm 28) only to be not taken seriously. I was born with a perforation in my eardrum & a leaky tear duct on that same side yet nothing has ever been done about it they just say we will refer you and that never happens, no matter how much it is chased up.

I'm pretty sure that jess's rule is bullshit because they don't actually listen to it as it's not a law.

What the fucking fuck is wrong with this country?!?!!;

3 comments

r/nhs • u/Ecstatic-Possible801 • 1d ago

Process Going to Europe for care instead of NHS

0 Upvotes

I’ve had extremely heavy menstrual bleeding for almost a year now. First the NHS misdiagnosed me with something benign and told me it was nothing to worry about it and when it got worse they admitted it couldn’t be that benign option and have now referred me for an ultrasound and specialist appointment.

However, I’ve been told it could take months to see someone.

I’m really worried about the symptoms. Has anyone ever popped over to Europe to see a doctor rather than waiting for the NHS?

24 comments

r/nhs • u/Still_Recognition652 • 21h ago

Complaints Second Opinion on Trust's refusal to diagnose & treat my cPTSD

0 Upvotes

does any member have any experience &/or advice on my requesting a Second Opinion on my cPTSD treatment?
my Trust has refused to acknowledge my GP & VitaMinds' assessment of my ill mental health condition as cPTSD.
The Trust refuse to treat me other than with Duloxetine, despite previous 15 sessions of NHS EMDR through VitaMinds proving extremely therapeutic.
they have written that "if you are still unhappy" with their final decision to contact NHS Ombudsman.
3.5 yrs finally knowing this is cPTSD, after misdiagnosis = mis-treatment since 2005, & i am at my wits' end unable to access treatment / potential cure.
TIA for any / all genuine Second Opinion advice.

15 comments

r/nhs • u/CODE-Domino • 1d ago

Recruitment Can a recovering addict become a HCSW or a social worker?

6 Upvotes

Hi I don’t know if this is the right subreddit but if not than apologies!

So I basically always wanted to work at my local hospital ever since I was young, however I turned to drugs to cope when I was at such a low place in life and I’m now in recovery.

I am about to go to college for advanced certificate for social sciences that I’m glad I got in but people are telling me I should drop out since I’m receiving help from NHS for addiction and depression and they wouldn’t hire me when I get to that point one day and should consider administrative assistant jobs instead and take a admin course.

I just wanna know if this is true because I’m not a fan of Admin and don’t wanna be demoted because I did something stupid to cope and obviously regret it and glad I’m getting help.

Thanks for reading and apologies again if this subreddit isn’t for this type of stuff

15 comments

r/nhs • u/Accomplished-Area457 • 1d ago

Recruitment Rejected for band 4 interview

6 Upvotes

They told me I scored 12/15 while the other candidate (internal candidate who was doing a lower band role) got 14/15. I travelled 3 hours to reach the interview location.

This was my 4th unsuccessful interview for similar roles. And I am absolutely devastated.

I think I did really well :) turns out, not really.

I am going to accept that the panelist are biased towards internal candidates, as they should (maybe). But I am just so so sad.

EDIT : I have a bachelor's degree, with 1 year of hospital experience. I also am studying towards a post grad degree.

52 comments

r/nhs • u/AnyPen1882 • 1d ago

Recruitment Interview as healthcare support worker forensic services

1 Upvotes

Hello, I have been invited to an interview for the above role in a low secure unit. I’m looking for general advice as I have no experience working in healthcare or MH and my only experience is in retail. I’ve only ever done very informal retail interviews so this will be my first professional interview. I would love this job this has been a dream of mine to work in a mental health unit since I was a teenager.

Looking for advice on what to expect at the interview, and what they expect me to have knowledge on so I can revise. Also perhaps the etiquette or “rules” of a more professional formal interview.

Thank you so much I will appreciate any reply.

3 comments

r/nhs • u/Horrormyass • 1d ago

Recruitment Backpay question

1 Upvotes

Hi guys I had a question about backpay. I got a letter saying the Unison managed to backdate the pay from April 2021 from Band 2 - Band 3.

I was working for another trust from 2021-2024 and now am working for another trust. Am I still entitled to the backpay from my old trust?

It seems unfair that I wouldn’t be entitled since it’s a national NHS payment rather than trusts individually choosing to pay or not based on if you left because I was still part of the NHS.

Thank you.

4 comments

r/nhs • u/Significant-Sea7141 • 1d ago

Process Referral date changed in NHS app

1 Upvotes

Does anyone know why the referral date would change in the NHS app? Mine changed from 17th June to 3rd July. The waiting list date also increased.

Does this mean I will now wait longer? i.e. now the wait starts at the new date with the longer time? (1 month extra?)

6 comments

r/nhs • u/Pretend_Rabbit_6026 • 2d ago

Process Why can't GPs book ahead for the semi urgent but not routine options?

6 Upvotes

So, I've been having this issue for a while that is getting worse, not worse enough for A&E but worse enough for needing to be checked by a GP sooner than the 4-5 week wait for a routine appointment

The only option that the receptionist gave me was to call at 8 am to be put on the triage list for a call back with my named GP.

My son had a meltdown at 7:50 and it took me a while to get him dressed and out for the nursery, by the time we managed to drop him off and I called the surgery, there were no appointments left and I was told to try again tomorrow

The e-consultation system doesn't really work for this, they always tell me to call back to arrange for an appointment

I would be happy if they could give you an option and you click a button to confirm. 9 out of 10 times you end up accepting the first option they give you anyway.

I'm just feeling a bit sad lately because I have so many health issues and I'm just in my 40s. I feel such a burden and I just want to feel ok and healthy for once

10 comments

r/nhs • u/Normal_War_5586 • 2d ago

Recruitment New HCA advice

3 Upvotes

As the title says, I have just got my first job as a HCA, I’ve never had healthcare experience but I’m excited to kickstart my career in healthcare, this job is a stepping stone to eventually becoming an Anesthetist (waaaaay down in the line lol).
I was just wondering if anyone has any advice for a new HCA, specifically is there anything you recommend I purchase to help me? I have bought some really comfortable shoes because the shifts are long and I know I’ll be on my feet all day, but is there anything else that an inexperienced person like me might not think of, but will help me in the future! Additionally any other advice is always helpful ☺️.

6 comments

r/nhs • u/biggobcantstop • 2d ago

Advocating Medical cannabis & mental health

5 Upvotes

Will medical cannabis for my CPTSD make it harder to get help for my mental health in the future?
I used to be seen by the mental health team and have experienced ‘really bad’ depression in the past.
The depression went away completely with medication.

If I get very depressed in the future will the cannabis prescription make getting any treatment out of the NHS less likely? (I don’t seem to be able tolerate SSRIs or SNRIs or mirtazapine and because of my risk history TCAs are a probably a no go.)

I also think I might have bipolar 2, although my LPN said I definitely don’t have it. I can’t give a clear cut history in support of such a diagnosis (according even to me). Would current cannabis treatment make it impossible to accurately diagnose?

15 comments

r/nhs • u/bix_box • 1d ago

Process Unsure how to navigate NHS after receiving unsatisfactory treatment plan

0 Upvotes

Hiya,

I'm coming here because I'm a little unfamiliar how to navigate the NHS following treatment recommendations from a specialist referral that I wasn't satisfied with. I'm not from the UK originally (but have lived here for 5 years) and this is my first time really using the NHS for anything I would consider serious, and my first time going through the GP -> specialist referral process.

The TLDR is I had a sleep study done for possible sleep apnea and the results came back that I had moderate sleep apnea (AHI 21), but the sleep doctor at the clinic I was referred to declined to treat me with a CPAP - their reasoning being that I had a low epworth sleepiness scale score and that other people struggle more with 'daytime sleepiness' despite me expressing I've lived with this for years and years so I've adjusted to not literally falling asleep in the middle of the day, but it still affects be terribly with general fatigue and brain fog every day. Their treatment plan included telling me to watch my BMI and stay fit (I already am - 5 10 and 75kg which the doctor event stated wasn't really relevant to me) and to practice good sleep hygeine.

I'm quite disappointed by the NHS and the advice and by not being offered a CPAP machine. Per the NICE guidelines - the epworth scale isn't a factor in determining if CPAP is the appropriate treatment - it is recommended for cases of moderate or severe sleep apnea. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta139/chapter/1-Recommendations and https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng202/chapter/1-Obstructive-sleep-apnoeahypopnoea-syndrome#treatments-for-moderate-and-severe-osahs

I'm not asking if for medical advice or if you agree/disagree with the doctors assessment, I'm just not sure where to start in terms of getting my treatment plan changed or fighting for something else. Do I call the sleep clinic directly and ask the same doctor? Do I go back to my GP and show them the results / guidelines? Is this worthy of a formal complaint somehow (not sure what that process is like either)?

Any help would be appreciated.

8 comments

r/nhs • u/EatAnyGoodBooks1701 • 2d ago

Recruitment What’s it like to work as an NHS care assistant?

1 Upvotes

Hello. I have previously worked as a care assistant for private non-NHS companies and was wondering how it compares to working as a care assistant for the NHS.

What is the staffing like with the NHS? What are the pros and cons? Is working for the NHS as a care assistant more secure?

Many thanks in advance for any advice and insights.

0 comments

r/nhs • u/sam130201 • 2d ago

Recruitment Volunteer to get a job?

1 Upvotes

Hi I have volunteered as an admin for NHS for 2 months now and I wonder if this role can help me get a job as a specimens receptionist at NHS hospital lab. I tried to apply for multiple lab role band 2 such as biomedical support worker, medical lab assistant but all are unsuccessful. I graduated with a 1st this year but I don’t have any lab experience. I applied to different chemistry company or vet lab but I didn’t receive any interview invitation from them.

Thank you for any comment

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r/nhs • u/DowntownSoft1402 • 2d ago

Recruitment No volunteering spots for local trust?

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Sorry if I've done something wrong with the post or used the wrong flair, I'm new here

I'm 16, I've just finished my gcses and I recently emailed my local trust to enquire about volunteering in wards but was told that there aren't any spots left and they'd get back to me when applications reopen.

I thought this was weird because on their website they never set a period for applications and then also told me they have no idea when the applications reopen after a second email.

another weird thing is that they were looking for more volunteers just 2 months ago and with volunteers isn't it the more the merrier?

are there any other ways of getting a volunteering spot other than emailing the email the trust provided? appreciate the help in advance :)

11 comments

r/nhs • u/NeoMorph • 2d ago

Complaints Why Don’t Doctors Check Your Medication Review Notes

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So I had a medication review where I could ask for less painkillers when I don’t need them. I can have 3 boxes of Zomorph a month.

So for the last few months the nice weather meant I wanted only 1 or 2 boxes… and then at the weekend I dislocated my shoulder due to Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (ironically holding onto a hand rail getting out of the shower and stumbled and POP!… out it came.

So I put in my monthly repeat prescription and explained what happened and pointed to the last medication review where I asked to reduce my meds monthly (from 3 boxes down to 2 or 1) when needed and asked politely for 3 boxes of painkillers this month.

Knowing this doctors I checked on the script when it went through and yup, the doctor only gave me 1 box. 🤬

So I rang the doctors and tried explaining and first I got they can’t do scripts over the phone and I pointed out the script was done via the app and then I pointed out the dosage I’m on for this painkiller (2 or 3 capsules twice a day) yet they had only given me enough for 1 capsule twice a day. They told me she would send a note up requesting the extra but it would be 48 hours.

I now know after the 48 hours they will deny my request because they will not check the notes (again) and will have to do a phone appointment where thank god for tech I can point out the NHS appointment logs where my request to change my meds up and down were accepted at an in-person doctors appointment. Hopefully they will understand my decisions to reduce my meds then because my notes still clearly says 2 or 3 capsules twice a day and how you can do that on 60 capsules makes me think someone hasn’t passed their maths exam.

Sorry, I’m just ranting. Sometimes it’s therapy in itself. The irony is that I’ve gone through this every year for the last 3 years which was why early this year I asked for a face to face with my doctor and laid out my problems… and still nothing changes… except this time I have CLEAR DOSAGE NOTES… if only the doctor could glance at them.

So… who else have doctors that randomly reduce your meds for no reason.

5 comments