After years of chronic migraines, I finally got a referral last year to see a specialist. I was buzzing—thought I was finally going to get some answers.
Then the letter came through: Appointment booked for 1st May 2025… 11 months away. Annoying, but hey, at least it was happening.
Fast forward to now — it’s May, I’ve since moved from London up north, but this appointment felt like gold dust so I held onto it. Booked trains, sorted time off work, planned to stay with friends, the whole lot.
On my way to the train, I get a call: “Sorry, your appointment’s been cancelled. We’ll reschedule you for the next available slot.” Great.
Two days later, I get the new letter:
26th March. 2026.
That’s 22 months after my original referral.
I’m not sure if I should laugh, cry, or just bang my head against a wall (not that it would help the migraines).
EDIT: Just to add for people who don’t know much about the NHS - I am not bashing it at all, this is a bad situation at a hospital that is rated poorly for extremely niche treatment. For example I’ve just this morning been referred to a hospital closer to my new home that has an 8 week wait for example. The NHS is chronically underfunded and massively understaffed, but it’s there when you really need it.