Tyneside Integrated Musculoskeletal Services

I am needing an X-ray to find out what is wrong with my knee. Im having to go through such a convoluted route to get one. First you have to send refer, the your sent exercises. You have to wait at least 2 weeks before calling again and asking for an X-ray. Youre then put on a waiting list. Then you get a letter asking them to call. When I dialled the number 3 times it said it was an incorrect number. 4th time it went through. Im now having to see a Physiotherapist at the Freeman to see if I can have an X-ray. The NHS is not fit for purpose. As a tax payer if I want an X-ray I should be able to get one without jumping through hoops. 6 months Ive been trying now. Im so angry and frustrated I could cry. Something needs to be done to sort this mess out.
Nov 13th, 2022

What aWaste of time.After paying for a private consultation with a consultant who examined my knee and told me I had a torn cartridge in my right knee and he could perform key hole surgery to fix it.I decided to go with the nhs,then via Tims, physio told me consultant was mistaken and I had ligament damage and gave me some exercises which did not help one bit.Later this same physio told me I may have to live with it.Months down the line I had to insist on a MRI scan whichTims were very reluctant to offer.Imagine my anger when I had a scan to reveal the consultant at the Nuffield was correct all along,Meanwhile I just wonder if the timms service at blaydon were more concerned about their getting me off the books rather than treating my injury.
Nov 10th, 2022

I am unimpressed with the TIMS service thus far. I was told on the phone in July that I would be booked in to see someone face-to-face. It is now October and I was yet to hear anything back, so I called the TIMS office only to be told I was not booked in and would have to wait at minimum another month before I could see someone. Thats three extra months of being in pain and anxiety needlessly spent waiting to hear back. Clearly more organisation is needed. The reason why this isnt 1 star is because all the individual members of staff I spoke to were polite and helpful.
Oct 25th, 2022

Sep 11th, 2022

I was referred to TIMS for hip pain. The physio I saw literally just looked at me, no exam, no gait or stance analysis etc but she did comment "you're walking badly". I was given a printed bog standard NHS hip exercises sheet, told to ignore the pain and I review in two weeks. After 3 session I was told that it"may be bursitis ".."may be a torn hip flexor " but NO offer for an x-ray. I contacted my GP for an x-ray to find the report from the physio was discussing my Left hip..the issue is with the Right ! My x-ray showed severe hip arthritis ..my hip is now bone on bone. And the pain unbearable. I have paid for a private consultation at Spire and I need a total hip replacement.... however this has to be approved by TIMS..! They are an absolute waste of time and are causing patients more suffering than care
Nov 10th, 2022