Still waiting

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Morning all,

well another day of sitting watching tv and getting up at various intervals for the loo, and cooking, does anyone fully understand the NHS national waiting times list, IE. they told me my cut off date for my opp was the 24th july, does this mean I must get it done by then, or that I will get a date by then, I had my pre opp. may 22nd,

thanks everyone,

Lynne x

2

2 months since pre op you would think op would have to be soon otherwise they may need another pre op. The waiting is awful . my bp skyrocketed during that time even tho I thought I was cool about it. I hope you get that letter in the post before the weekend.

3

Hi Lynne

It means the date of your operation must be before 24th July or they will be in breach and must offer you an alternative - like getting it done in a private hospital. In addition, it must be within 12 weeks of the pre-op otherwise you will need another one. Suggest you phone your surgeon's secretary and ask what is going on and what they propose to do about it if they can't offer you admission before the 24th July. If you leave it, they will think you don't care - the only way to get your rightful treatment is by making a nuisance of yourself!

4

Hi Lynne

You  had a pre op on May 22 Tomorrow that will be 8 weeks ago.. They only last for 12 weeks and they have to do it again. So the cut off time I would think would be  refering to you having to go back for another pre op appointment if they havn't got you in for your operation by the 24th July. Personally I would phone your surgeons secretary and ask if you are any closer or they have a date for your operation so you can either get ready for it or relax and enjoy summer. There is less chance of you being operated on this time of the year because of the summer holidays wherre theater staff or nurses will be on holiday.So I would find out where you stand.

5

Agree with Rosie, Lynne - it's those who shout the loudest!

I had to make a nuisance of myself to get what I needed done

Definately speak to surgeon's secretary!

Linda xx

6

Think you have to have your op by the cut off date or they will have to re-do the pre-op tests. Have you rung the consultants secretary? she should be able to tell you better or even give you the date? Love Gillxxx

7

Hi Lynne,if I were you,I would contact your consultant s secretary and ask where you are on the list! Good luck! Regards Amanda

8

depends where you live Lynne, and how many orthorpeadic surgeons are in your area, for example where I live we have 1, so long wait, bigger cities have 6 like in Liverpool, they are a law unto themselves, this time of year you have to allow for holidays, and emergencies, then if a cancellation comes up be prepared to go ASAP, Id have my bag packed ready to go, Lynne, good luck with your op.

Debs

9

That may be what they try to tell you Debbie, but according to the patient charter, you have the absolute right to receive your operation within 18 weeks of the surgeon agreeing that you need it. This time is 12 weeks in Scotland. If the NHS hospital cannot offer you a date before this time, they are in breach of the charter and must offer you an alternative - often surgery by the same surgeon but done privately but paid for by the nhs.

10

Thanks everyone for all your replies, I will call the secretary tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes, I just want to know so i can plan ahead, as it is now i can't even go to newcastle for a week to see my uncle in case they call me in, it's so frustrating, like being in limbo 

11

mmmmmm why wait till tomorrow? you ought to have done it today lol.

maybe a week in Newcastle would do you good to give you a change of scenery. Limbo is that limbo dancing? I wish lol and bet you do too.

keep yer chin up Love Gill xxxxxx

12

Hi Lynne I know that they are looking for patients to operate on here at the Vic in Blackpool, there have been quite a few cancellations here with older at the top of the lists, I had my PreOp yesterday and I in for my second Hip Replacement next thursday, just have to stay away from players with colds over the weekend, and I should be OK, it could not have fallen better for me, but I will not rest on my Laurels untill I have the epidural in my back...Perhaps you could ring the Vic aor speak to your hospital about it and see if you could have it done here, depends how far away you are I am sure, but is could be a solution for you...

Fingers crossed for you Ian ++

13

Your hospital should have a PALS scheme. You can talk about getting a definite date with them. They try to sort problems out between patients and the powers that be.