NHS waiting times

[chrisrob]

1. I had my operation cancelled yesterday. After 3 1/2 hours in the hospital being seen by nurses, the surgeon and anaesthetist, I was told sorry, they have a bed shortage. Phoning admissions this morning have been told to phone Friday afternoon to see if they have any idea when I will be "done".
It's now 2 years<-i> since I first saw my GP to have this necessary procedure. When I saw the surgeon last June, I thought I was on the waiting list. It was only because of my nagging that I saw him again on 5th November and he said I'd definitely have the operation within the 18 weeks. 18 weeks from 5th November is 11th March. However, as I read the NHS guidelines, my 18 weeks should have started long ago!

2. The surgeon suggested I see my GP because I may no longer need to be taking one of the medicines she's prescribed. Tried to get an appointment this morning. Cannot get one for 4 weeks!

I thought NHS was now supposed to be better and more responsive?

[sqad617]

No......only New Labour has said that.

[Greedyfly]

I sympathise I really do... Mine was an emergency op but it still took them 6 days and they still got it wrong lol. I am looking into Bupa now, just in case.

[mrs_overall]

It's a sad fact but if you are accepting what they tell you then they will get away with this.
You have to shout loudly and make a fuss. I know this isn't always easy if it's not generally in your nature, but trust me, it will make things happen.
Make a start by phoning your GP's surgery. Tell them a wait of 4 weeks is unacceptable and DEMAND an appointment in a given timescale (2 days for example). If they refuse, stay on the phone, be persistent and as a last resort threaten to go to the surgery and sit there until you are seen.
They will miraculously find a free appointment for you.
Good luck.

[sqad617]

Mrs_O....LOL LOL...are you still in contact with Christine (sorry chrisrob)

[mrs_overall]

Hi sqad. I see her infrequently. She sold their house and moved out of town.

[sqad617]

OK Mrs-O thanks.

[mrs_overall]

Oops, just read the word chrisrob.
Who are we talking about? I thought you meant Frederick's widow?

[sqad617]

Mrs_0..I did mean Fred's widow.

[mrs_overall]

Oh, ok. I last saw her about a week ago in a supermarket carpark. Did you know the family (apart from Fred?)

apologies for going off thread here....

[sqad617]

Mrs_0...ask her if she remembers a very handsome surgeon from Scarborough Hospital running away with his Audiologist. round about the mid 70's. LOL

[mrs_overall]

OK, will do!
She had a scandal of her own when she had a brief affair with someone.....and the guy's wife killed herself.
It was also sad a couple of years before Fred died when one of his daughters killed herself as well.
They were a very unlucky family.

[sqad617]

Mrs_0..I remember the "affair" well. Happens to many marriages and it's how you deal with it that's the trick.

[mrs_overall]

....and don't get me started on the number of affairs Fred had!.....