Hi, I am 34 yr old male with young family, I was due to have THR mid Sept but it was cancelled on the day due to the to surgical instruments not being sterile, I have no new operation date. I had all my post op care sorted, children's care sorted and work handed over. Hospital cant meet the NHS Charter stipulated 28day timescale for re booking my op and no availability in October. Still in pain, cant sleep no end in sight and totally frustrated by the whole experience! I know the op will come soon but really struggling now! Advice welcome please.
Hi huw, so sorry the op was cancelled, I am shocked the reason they gave was un-sterilized equipment. What does it take to boil them up? I expect they send them out these days instead of putting them in a sterilizer.
If I was you I would ring the surgeons secretary a couple of times a week to ask if there has been a cancellation, make a nuisance of yourself.
I agree with Jen phone up,and rattle their chains. They have really let you down and at least should try and dirt things out. I think the any charters have gone to pot! I really feel for you. By the time I actually had my op I was in total agony and was petrified the op would be cancelled.
I had my op cancelled 2 days before due to an admin error. Something to do with funding coming from the wrong area. It caused a 6 week delay and was so upsetting. My sister had booked annual leave to come and stay with me so it messed her about too. I had my op in a private hospital under nhs choices. If you have chosen a specific surgeon you might be able to find if they operate at any private hospitals and see if you could have it done there. A lot of private hospitals take nhs patients. Ring the hospital or surgeons secretary to check. They have to do the op for the same price the nhs would pay (you don’t pay your health authority does) and it helps with waiting list issues. Good luck
Ann
Huw, how absolutely terrible- am so sorry for you - like Jen , boil the flippin instruments - unbelievable!!!
I also empathise, especially for the continuous pain and sleepless nights.
May I ask where is this hospital and who is the surgeon please?
Also a thought, in between time ask for some Skudex pain killers or something equivalent.
I am in the sw region, they had spare instruments but all sets were comprised. Private hospital under nhs choose and book system. They dont have thier own autoclave and they have the instruments cleaned, packaged and couriered over! As I was one of the last ops of the day, they were down to their last few sets of instruments which had problems with the packaging, hence the cancellation on safety grounds.
I have been ringing twice a week, will continue this tactic!
That is appalling, you need to complain. We put our world 'on hold' for the operation, and to have it cancelled because instruments weren't sterilised is awful.
This may have been a blessing. Look up Hip OA can be cured. I was set to have an operation on my right hip because I could barely move. NowI am back running and no loner need surgery. It is hard work but worth the effort.
Good luck
Could you expand on your point teresa please?
My point is that you are very young and I am guessing healthy. There is an alternative to surgery. I have had so much progress and no longer need surgery. That is my point. It isn't for everyone, but I wanted you to know there is other options out there is all.