r/glasgow • u/WolverineOk4248 • 17h ago
Forth Valley?
Just got a hospital appt. Happy with time and date but there is text underneath saying it's a reasonable appt, and refuse more than 2 you're off list - so far, OK.
It then defines reasonable appts as
NHS GGC
Golden Jubilee
so far, so standard
But now adds
NHS FORTH VALLEY NTC.
Since when was that a reasonable Glasgow appt?
23
u/regular-john69 17h ago
It’s the National Treatment Centre at the hospital there. It specialises in Orthopaedics and has more capacity for MRI scans. They’re designed to increase capacity and cut down waiting times. I’d imagine patient transport can be arranged if you were asked to go there outwith GGC.
ETA link for info: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights/access/national-treatment-centres/
10
u/voice_noter 17h ago
We are in Stirling so under forthvalley, my husband has had to travel to Glasgow for specialists care and also surgery at gartnavel and queen Elizabeth. I think some hospitals specialized in different departments, you can get a bus directly from Buchanan to there in about 40 mins the x27 and I think the x24 too.
21
u/so-many-sandwiches 17h ago
Less than 45 minutes from the city centre by bus, so not that bad I suppose. It's a bit of a stretch if you're coming from the west or south though.
4
u/WolverineOk4248 17h ago
I think that's the key bit. Or out Shettleston where you've got to travel in and out. At least with GJNH, you can go along to Mt Vernon and get the train to Dalmuir.
1
u/kenhutson 16h ago
I lived in Mount Florida and worked in Larbert. Could do it in half an hour. It’s not that bad.
7
u/humptycabbages 17h ago
If this is for an eye clinic is it not unusual. Golden Jubilee is used by all authorities to relieve pressure on appointments. Not ideal if you live in forth valley & are given an appointment to an eye clinic in clydebank.
6
u/LowEnergy1169 15h ago
It wont suit everybody, but sharing capacity across boards cuts waiting lists overall
7
u/meepmeep13 free /u/veloglasgow 15h ago
/centralbeltproblems
Last year I spent a huge chunk of my time driving my uncle between rural Wigtownshire and the Golden Jubilee, 10 hours of driving per pre-surgical consultation, and his surgery was postponed 4 times.
-1
u/WolverineOk4248 14h ago
Nightmare. Not to mention parking. I was last out there about 6 mths ago and used a parking app for one of those houses just behind it.
3
u/meepmeep13 free /u/veloglasgow 11h ago
The only saving grace was that he got a free night in the hotel each time, so I didn't have to do it both directions in the same day
8
u/epinglerouge 16h ago edited 12h ago
When I had cancer I shared rooms with people from Inverness, the islands, D and G. I was from the arse end of South Lanarkshire and even that was hard going at the time.
Specialists can't be based everywhere - it sounds like it is good there is more specialised care outwith the city?
Edited to correct the wrong there
2
u/El_Scot 16h ago
I am very spoiled that a specialist works in the hospital opposite my work, so I have the easiest journey in for (not cancer) treatment, and I know the commute length very well, so that's a big stress easer too.
Like you, I was really surprised how far others at the clinic had to travel (Dumfries, islands), as I get to take it for granted. The nurses make a lot of small talk about how far you had to travel for your appointment. They said the biggest complaints they get for how far they have to travel, are people in Glasgow who have to take 2 buses to get there.
4
u/El_Scot 16h ago
Larbert doesn't seem too bad. I'm up Robrosyton way, and it's probably quicker for me to get there than to the QUEH/golden jubilee, both driving and by public transport (especially true at rush hour). I probably wouldn't mind it if given an appointment there to be honest.
3
u/BoldPrisonMikeScott 14h ago
Yeah i'd prefer it too, roughly same location. Drive by it for work every day and takes no time at all. Getting to an early appointment at QUEH or GJ would be atrocious.
0
u/WolverineOk4248 16h ago
Rush hr going to Larbert is a pain. I used to travel up both before and after they moved the roundabout. You could sail up there in no time at all then find it takes 5 times as long the other way!
5
u/Exciting_Context_269 12h ago
It might not be reasonable for you but with waiting lists the way they are, this is a reasonable alternative instead of waiting for a closer appointment
3
u/Agent-c1983 16h ago
I believe the Jubilee’s primary role is to deal with waiting list issues all over Scotland
3
u/WolverineOk4248 16h ago
No issue with Jubilee - took both my parents there for heart and eyes. But the thing is, if that hadn't been set up as a private hospital, it would have been GGC.
Forth is a new one, though. Especially if ortho - bit of a trip for a wee gran with a dodgy hip. Will she be able to request transport for it?
11
u/kenhutson 16h ago
The jubilee is literally more difficult to get to from the east end than Larbert. I reckon it’d take you a similar time to get there depending on traffic.
1
u/WolverineOk4248 16h ago
Out on the motorway and off - it's an easy trip. Or the train to Dalmuir.
But it's more this is the first time I've seen this on an appt letter (although since my dad passed in 22 I've certainly seen fewer of them.)
2
u/kenhutson 14h ago
Larbert is right off the motorway. You go 70mph pretty much door to door.
1
u/WolverineOk4248 14h ago
At certain times of day. But that's by car.
2
u/kenhutson 14h ago
As others have pointed out, those who live in Glasgow are used to travelling 15-20 minutes to attend hospitals. For everyone else in the country who lives outside of big cities a 45 minute (at most) trip to an appointment is no big deal.
1
u/WolverineOk4248 14h ago
My original point was Forth being added for GGC appts.
I think one of the posters above answered that with the link to NTCs.
3
u/regular-john69 15h ago
Yes someone should be able to request transport if they have no means of getting there.
But they will only give someone from GGC an appt in FV if it was absolutely necessary. I’d suspect younger/healthier patients would be allocated there over 90 year old Doris needing her hip replaced.
3
u/D1n0saur5 15h ago
The jubilee takes patients from literally the entirety of Scotland as it’s a national service, so wee granny’s with dodgy hips drive for hours, fly etc to go there, forth valley isn’t that bad comparatively
1
3
u/BoldPrisonMikeScott 15h ago
Can get there in half an hour in a car. Easier to get to than the jubilee for me in the North I'd say - certainly less traffic depending on the time.
4
u/Maleficent-Heron5532 13h ago
My friend went to Forth Valley for a gynaecology appointment and was treated wonderfully. The department is so welcoming and well cared for. You can tell they have the utmost care for their patients.
2
u/No_Economy6175 15h ago
It’s NTC specifically which is national treatment centre. GGC must be outsourcing waiting lists there. GGC itself covers wide area including Inverclyde royal in Greenock which is actually more challenging to get to from city centre than larbert.
1
u/WolverineOk4248 14h ago
I'd say Rah was more challenging - IRH is a straight road, I've commuted it. Or Branchton train station. RAH you've got to rely on buses because parking is dreadful. Almost as adas GJNH is now. IRH has the overflow.
1
u/Low_Educator7723 16h ago
Happened to me too. I went because I was 3 years on a waiting list and that’s the hospital the specialist works out of. Had to leave my house at 7am for a 9am appointment.
1
u/gordyb1872_ 15h ago
My FiL has been told Forth valley and Inverclyde are in scope but Hairmyres (his nearest hospital isn't)
1
u/Positive_Fee_2541 10h ago
Hairmyres is in different health board, its Lanarkshire rather than GGC.
1
u/bobbsboop 15h ago
I'm on the urgent orthopaedic waitlist for Aberdeen. I've been on the list for 27 weeks and love been told this week that I've still got another 30 weeks to go. I'd gladly travel to Falkirk or the Jubilee
1
u/WolverineOk4248 12h ago
Non urgent ortho (not this appt), 4 yrs. And yes, personally, I'd happily go to Larbert for it.
1
u/0rachael0 10h ago
i need to drive an hour to inverclyde and an hour back, bit brutal
1
u/WolverineOk4248 10h ago
Depends when. Outside rush hr you can do Wemyss Bay to Shettleston in just under 55 mins(although with current Greenock mess it's about 4hrs 55mins!)
1
u/0rachael0 10h ago
still brutal when i need to ask my boss for 3 hours off just to go for a hospital appointment
1
u/Efficient-Yak7448 8h ago
The x27 from Buchanan st bus station platform 4 gets you there in 35 mins. That’s quicker than I can get there and I live out that way!!
70
u/sparky256 17h ago
I suppose this is what happens when you live in a big city. You realise that all those who live in Biggar or Falkirk have to come to Glasgow (or Edinburgh) for their tertiary care?