Specialist waiting times

Hi Leonie,

Waiting times can vary between specialists – this can depend on where you live and individual specialist waiting lists. We suggest contacting the neurologist or outpatient clinic to make sure they have your referral and it hasn't been missed. Over 3 months is a long time to be waiting to hear.

Speak with your GP too – they can call the neurologist or outpatient clinic on your behalf to chase up the appointment. Do you know if the appointment is through the hospital or private? If it's the hospital and there is a long waiting list you could look at getting your GP to refer you privately if this is an option for you. Some of the appointment might be covered by Medicare but there will be a gap.

We hope this helps. Don't hesitate to give us a call on StrokeLine 1800 787 653 if you need more advice or help with this.

Kind regards,

Melissa and Kath

You have already lost the initial stage of recovery.  Later stages can be much slower.  Don't wait for a specialist, or wait and get a good Physiotherapist.  Good luck

You have already lost the initial stage of recovery.  Later stages can be much slower.  Don't wait for a specialist, or wait and get a good Physiotherapist.  Good luck

I'm in South Australia and had a lot of issues with my referrals going missing, you really need to get on to them to make sure they have them. My follow up was a complete mess and I wonder if it was because my stroke was mild so 'not top of the pile', which is fair enough. Also Covid played a big part in that too I'm sure, but of course we mild cases still have issues that should be addressed sooner rather than later. Demand the normal assessments, after 15 months I have finally organised to see a neurophysio myself next week because the clinic said my GP could organise that and she said the clinic need to do it... Never go into your appointments alone, always have someone with you and take notes. Also get yourself to a Psychologist asap, its so important to be able to make sense of what has happened to you to lessen the anxiety. All the best.

Hope all is well with you Leonie. I agree with Leonard, don't wait for a specialist, or wait and get a good Physiotherapist. God speed!

Thank you for all your comments. I received a letter from the hospital today saying I have a telephone appointment with the neurology outpatient service in June. I am really hoping the neurologist will have some answers, particularly about the ongoing pain which isn't severe but is constant and makes it hard to be positive. My GP just said to discuss it with the neurologist so not long to go now.

It's now October and I'm still waiting for answers and I am so frustrated and don't seem to have any options. I finally had a telehealth with a Neurologist from John Hunter Hospital in June (5 months post stroke). He ordered more tests and a follow up for September. When it was time for me to ask questions he said he had to go because he got another call. A month later I went deaf in my left ear. The hospital emergency doctor said to follow up with my GP and neurologist. It took 8 days to get an urgent GP appointment which delayed the treatment that should be given immediately after sudden hearing loss and might have recovered some of my hearing. The neurologist wouldn't even make an appointment, he said there was no need to change the appointment I had in September. When I finally had that telehealth appointment it was with a different doctor and she said I should see someone in person and to have my GP write a new referral for a neurologist in Tamworth (only 3 hours drive each way, instead of Newcastle). So after waiting since December to find out what's wrong with me I now have to start the referral waiting game all over again. My GP appointment is in two weeks. I rang Tamworth Neurology to try and book an appointment and figured the GP could make the referral out to whoever I got, but their books are closed so I have to use a fly in service and they won't make an appointment until after they receive the referral. So I have to wait two more weeks just to get a referral and then who knows how long for an appointment. I'm finding the stress and frustration of dealing with the health system almost as bad as my physical symptoms. I just want to know what happened to me and if I'll get better or worse.