I am really really struggling. I have ulcerative colitis and I’m supposed to have consultant team check ups every year. I don’t. I’ve had 2 appointments in the last 5 years that had to be requested and got downgraded to phone calls.

Since October 2024 I have felt horrendous. It started with fatigue and catching every bug going worse than usual and progressed to extreme fatigue, headaches, worsening vision, palpitations and general bloody awfulness.

I went to the GP and asked for my iron to be tested because last time I felt like this my iron stores were low. Got told my ferritin levels although drastically decreased were “normal”. They were 17, then dropped to 10 and stayed there for ages. They are now 7. I can hear my pulse and keep feeling like I’m going to pass out but it’s ok because my haemoglobin levels are normal.

My transferrin saturation levels are also low and I really just need someone to say oh why don’t we try fixing this obvious pattern but apparently that’s ridiculous. They would rather do shed loads of mris, ecgs and other tests and tell me everything’s fine and I am just imagining feeling awful so that I can barely drag myself through the working day, feel like I’m neglecting my kids and have zero energy left for my friends who I love and enjoy spending time with 😑

hi! im currently a 2nd year uni student studying a course that I have no interest in (only realised I wanted out this year) and isnt healthcare related.

I’ve always wanted to have a job in healthcare. specifically, im torn between midwifery, radiography, or pharmacy.

after realising i have no interest in my current course I’ve been thinking about starting uni again in one of the above courses, but whenever I tell people that I get bombarded with warnings saying I’ll never get a job in the nhs as its ‘oversaturated’ and because of the job freeze.

its definitely scared me off a little bit, im already going to be in a bit more debt than everyone else if i start over, seeing as I’ve already done 1 and a bit years of uni already. Is the current job freeze really not worth me studying the course at uni? im aware the state of the nhs is dire right now, but would it still be like that in the next 3-4 years after i graduate?

Hey! so this is a kinda weird situation but a few months ago i signed up to the nhs app. I had a name change and no id of my old name so i signed up using my new name, my nhs number seemed to transfer just fine and my account has some pieces of medical history so i thought everything transferred smoothly.

Recently, i tried to get an appointment but i was told my nhs number was wrong, and even after i said the nhs number they had was the same one i have on record they said it was wrong and they couldnt proceed until they have the right one.

So i recently double checked and in my red book of growth charts and stuff from when I was born my nhs number is the same one I have now. So my childhood records and nhs app both have an nhs number that the nhs insists is incorrect

Sorry if this post is a bit of a mess but i really don't know how to fix this, does anyone know what I could do to sort this?

Following a referral by my GP to a general surgeon doctor I have been placed on a waiting list for a Gallstones removal operation.

What I obviously need to know is would the waiting time have started following my referral, or would it have started after seeing the general surgeon Dr?

The waiting list has the date my GP referred me and not the date of my appointment with the general surgery Dr implying that the waiting time started upon my GP referring me, could someone please clarify

I work in a hospital, Covid is super prevalent on our wards, and one of my jobs is to ask people to cough and deep suction them.

I’m tired of getting Covid every year, despite PPE (which is also hard to find now). Since the vaccine, most times I’ve caught Covid has been mild.

Last year I caught it (over a year since a vaccine), and I was so very unwell. Really pyrexial, super fatigued.

I was off work for 7 working days and not back to full duties for another week after that.

Overall, after saving £80 on a vaccine for me, they lost out on approx over £800 worth of my labour due to the sick leave and reduced duties.
Make that make financial sense! I can’t believe the press isn’t all over it.

This year I’m paying private. Not so I can stay in work, but because I’m tired of my job making me ill.

Just another way we’re not looked after as NHS staff.

EDIT: okay weirdly, I can still log in to SwiftQueue and book an appointment but it’s not advertised anywhere around the Trust… I’m going to ring and double check tomorrow…

hello everyone,
i just wanted to see if this is normal or if i have a right to be upset.

I had a blood test done well over a year ago as i was having issues with iron, and when i got the results the called me to say something had come up that suspected coeliac disease, i had a tTG IgA of 116.7, my iron levels were improving after medication and diet changes but then levels decreased from 58 to 18, which i believe could be a symptom of malabsorption from coeliac.

i was referred to gastroenterology on the 27th november 2025, so it is coming up to a year. i had not really experienced any symptoms then, but i believe now im starting to.

i then received a letter a week prior that i had a telephone appointment on the 29th September last week, but i could not attend it that day so i requested for it to be rescheduled. they proceeded to send me an email the day before reminding me about the appointment so they clearly had not listened, so i called them again telling them i cant attend it and i need to reschedule. they didn't end up calling but also have not discussed rescheduling the phone appointment, let alone waiting to get an endoscopy.

the situation is causing me worry and i just want it over with

I am an A level student doing the subjects Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. I have known for a long time I defintley want to work in healthcare and have a hands on job interacting with and treating patients. I had a week of work experience at a hospital shadowing doctors, nurses and consultants in the dental surgery department and it cemented the idea that this is the environment I want to work in.

A few months ago I learnt about the job Physicians Associate and looked at all the different routes to it. The main one is to start a nursing or science degree then a postgraduate degree for Physicians Associate. There is one university in the UK that does a 4 years integrated masters to directly become a PA after A-levels and the requirements are three A-levels including Biology and Chemistry. There are also PA apprenticeships for after a masters degree and there are also nursing apprenticeships.

I’ve heard the PA role is controversial and is going through some changes so I would greatly appreciate advice because I’m feeling a bit confused about this career. I’ve almost finished my personal statement which I’ve written about wanting to do nursing and made a shortlist of different unis with nursing courses. Many people are telling me that I should get a nursing degree first because it would secure a job that I can’t guarantee from the integrated masters degree to be a qualified PA.

Thank you for reading (:

*This is NOT a medical question, I am just asking where I can find the right professional. Although a very brief overview of symptoms will be provided as context. I have also posted it in the subreddit, since the NHS has told me to investigate it on my own.

I have some pretty weird cognitive symptoms like having a constant, and very stable "blank mind". General Apathy and Anhedonia, and a lack of any sort of ego or drive, low libido, among many other things.

My GP basically insinuated that after getting blood tests, that I should pursue psychiatry privately if I am able to. Since consultants seem to cost around ~£300, I agreed that It would probably be best considering wait times in my area. I asked if I would need an "open referral" or anything, and he said no. I thought it would be simple enough to find the right psychiatrist, but I was wrong.

The crux of the issue is that it doesn't really fit into any one diagnosis in the slightest, and I am struggling to find a consultant that can deal with something like that. I still am not entirely sure that another medical causes can be crossed off.

Thanks for any help!

NHS England has a list of Trusts who are "currently live" with Palantir's Federated Data Platform. The Trusts they have highlighted in bold are Trusts they claim are not only using the Platform, but are "realising benefits":  

https://www.england.nhs.uk/digitaltechnology/nhs-federated-data-platform/impact/fdp-uptake-and-benefits/nhs-trusts-live-with-nhs-fdp/

I have archived the list in case it is later altered by NHS England.  

https://web.archive.org/web/20261003114857/https://www.england.nhs.uk/digitaltechnology/nhs-federated-data-platform/impact/fdp-uptake-and-benefits/nhs-trusts-live-with-nhs-fdp/

  The following 20 trusts are included, in bold, on the list. I have gathered quotes from recent Freedom of Information disclosures where the trusts deny any use of the Federated Data Platform, which really makes it seem very much like NHSE is fabricating data to prop up claims of the FDP's "success".  

  While it is possible some of these trusts have begun the rollout process after making their disclosures, all of these disclosures are from the past 3 months, and NHS England is claiming all of these trusts are already "realising benefits".  

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Disclosure 09/09/2026

“Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust does not currently have a live local instance of the Federated Data Platform (FDP).

The Trust has therefore not rolled out or adopted FDP applications locally. There are no specific local factors or barriers identified as having prevented rollout; the FDP has simply not been implemented within CLCH at this time.

As the FDP is not currently live within the Trust, the remaining questions relating to the use of FDP applications are not applicable.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_23#incoming-3547959

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 24/07/2026

“We do not currently have connectivity with the FDP”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_23#incoming-3495474

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 09/09/2026

“EKHUFT does not use FDP”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/waiting_list_removals_using_apps_36#incoming-3549207

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure 10/09/2026

“The Trust is not currently using a Federated Data Platform (FDP)… The Trust has an active FDP project for Cancer 360 however an expected rollout date is not currently available.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/foi_request_federated_data_platf_24#incoming-3549429

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 01/10/2026

“ESNEFT was a user of the FDP Care Coordination Solution for the Waiting List and Theatres modules – these were set up and configured to use data from our legacy Patient Administration Systems (PAS). Those systems were retired on 2 October 2025 when our new Electronic Patient Record (EPR) replaced them – the new Electronic Patient Record has not been set up to work with the Care Coordination Solution or a local instance of the Federated Data Platform and there are currently no plans to do so.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_48#incoming-3578242

Epsom And St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure 17/08/2026

“The Trust is not currently using the FDP. Rollout has not yet proceeded as the Trust is still reviewing the governance, implementation and resource requirements associated with adoption of the platform.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_49#incoming-3520633

Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 06/08/2026

“With regards to your request (attached) our relevant service have confirmed, we do not use the FDP.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_67#incoming-3510052

North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 10/07/2026

“1. Is the federated data platform currently live at your trust (where live means having the platform available for the trust to use, known as a local instance)?

No”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_109#incoming-3478981

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure 24/08/2026

“Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is currently focused on stabilising and optimising services following the implementation of its Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system. The Trust intends to consider the Federated Data Platform (FDP) as part of its future digital roadmap; however, no implementation timeline has been agreed at this time… We are currently not using FDP”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_120#incoming-3530258

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 03/08/2026

“1. Is the federated data platform currently live at your trust (where live means having the platform available for the trust to use, known as a local instance)? No”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_126#incoming-3504878

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure 23/07/2026

“1. Is the federated data platform currently live at your trust (where live means having the platform available for the trust to use, known as a local instance)? No”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_129#incoming-3493160

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

Disclosure 08/07/2026

“The RNOH NHS Trust has not implemented the FDP, and we have no current plans to do so including any associated applications”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_133#incoming-3475571

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

Disclosure16/07/2026

“We do not use FDP”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/foi_request_federated_data_platf_70#incoming-3485090

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 17/08/2026

“The Trust is currently reviewing governance and implementation proposals relating to the Federated Data Platform (FDP). Whilst the Trust is actively considering implementation of FDP solutions, no decision has yet been made regarding deployment and no rollout date has been agreed.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_153#incoming-3520647

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 31/07/2026

“SPFT is a mental health Trust so FDP has not yet been rolled out”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_159#incoming-3503363

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 16/07/2026

“FDP is not live at the Trust”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_164#incoming-3485219

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 01/07/2026

“1. Is the federated data platform currently live at your trust (where live means having the platform available for the trust to use, known as a local instance)? No”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_169#incoming-3467546

Torbay And South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Disclosure 23/07/2026

“The Trust is not currently using the Federated Data Platform (FDP). Although NHS England records Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust as ‘live’ on the FDP, the Trust currently only has the infrastructure in place to submit data and is not actively submitting returns through the FDP currently.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_176#incoming-3493535

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

Disclosure 27/07/2026

“FDP is not live. We do not intend to roll it out in the future. A variety of factors prevent roll out, but primarily it does not appear to provide functionality over and above what we have already.”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/up_to_date_information_on_apps_a_186#incoming-3495951

West London NHS Trust

Disclosure 22/07/2026

“a) If the FDP is currently live at your trust, please can you describe the process/methodology by which the trust has internally monitored the roll out of individual apps in terms of effectiveness, potential risks, patient impact/engagement, appropriate data management and cost effectiveness. Please could you specify the types of assessment tools used, and provide copiesof them including, but not limited to copies of the following documents: Not live”

Link: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/internal_assessment_and_evaluati_194#incoming-3491584

I have an extreme case of macromastia (I swear it used to be called gigantomastia but I digress) and a lot of health issues inc Lupus, Sjogrins and more.

Some context:

I previously got confirmed for a BR in my old city in 2020 but while I was waiting to meet the surgeon, I was placed on medication to save my life and my weight spiralled. I came off the medication last year and am finally able to lose the weight and have lost well over half of it. My GP is re-requesting funding permission, but what's niggling in my head is whether or not they're going to correctly assess my case. The main things im worried they'll overlook or outright not consider are as follows;

1. The weight of my breasts is actually making it difficult to breathe and I get significant pain in my chest and trapped nerves in my back. Sometimes the pain in my chest is so bad I have to go lay on my chest and put my breasts way up so I can breathe again;

2. The nature of my conditions is unstable and untreated (thanks nhs for the long term neglect btw but that's another story) and I'm worried that if I don't get the surgery soon, I'll reach an inevitable complication that will result in me being unable to undergo elective surgery;

3. I previously was approved and would've got it if I wasn't placed on a ton of immuno suppressants and steriods to try and get my symptoms under control and left on those for like 5 years. My weight before the medications was stable for multiple years and it's returning to baseline fairly rapidly. I'm worried that, if i have to wait another year with my weight being stable, I'll have an inevitable health concern or medication change that will result in me being unable to undergo the procedure AGAIN, and;

4. I have a very small frame (5 ft 3) and my breasts are a K- I cup when I last bought a bra, and nearly 5kgs in weight, which is incredibly substantial and also makes it even harder to reach their desired weight requirements. (Semi related; is the size of the breasts vs the height of the patient a determined category or is it a broad application?)

With all this in mind, do ICB's consider individual cases and apply the rules differently as standard, or if not, would it be possible to obtain a slight bend to the rules? Or do I have to delay any further treatment for a year after I reach the goal BMI no matter what that does to me?

Ty xo

I have had an ingrown toenail for years. it constantly gets infected and I need antibiotics. The GP tells me off saying I need to get it sorted, but refuses to do a referral unless it is "life threatening".

I am in agony everyday and I cannot afford to get it removed privately, as they quoted me at nearly 500 quid. is there like a magic phrase or someone I can complain to, to get this sorted?

As a kid I had this operation done on a minor toenail issue, but now they wont?

I'm currently top of Band 6 on £48,117 and I'm considering applying for a 12 month Band 7 secondment which would be £49,387.

My current role involves unsocial hours so I get enhancements. The Band 7 role would be Monday to Friday, so I'd lose these and actually end up worse off each month despite moving up a band.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Is there any sort of pay protection that can be agreed for a secondment or would I just have to accept the drop in pay?

I do want the Band 7 experience as I think it would be good for me career wise, especially as it's for 12 months. I'm just trying to weigh up whether the experience would be worth being financially worse off during that time.