Waiting times for nhs operations

How long have you been waiting?
It might be worth saying that you could accept a short notice appointment.

OH just seen a consultant regarding a new knee - been told the waiting list is 5 months, which we didn't think was too bad. My friend saw her consultant (knee replacing too) in December and was given a date for the operation in March. Unfortunately it had to be cancelled as she had a really bad chest infection; the operation will now take place in July. So all in all, our waiting lists aren't too bad.

I agree, if you are in a position to accept a cancellation at short notice the surgery can be expedited to everybody's satisfaction.

GlammakAz59

Is any one waiting for a operation or appointment on the nhs ? Have you had to wait a long time? I'm waiting for a gall bladder operation and also for a appointment when your in pain every day what do you do? No one seems to care.

I hear what you are saying about pain - I am finding it intolerable, and there seems no real alternative but just to go on enduring it. It is a shame that pain relief for chronic problems is still a bit of a sledge-hammer with lots of unfortunate side effects.

I am sorry you are having to wait for gall bladder op - I know how painful this can be. But at least when it comes around you will probably have keyhole surgery now, so hopefully a quick recovery for you.

I’m in Scotland and have been waiting for an op for two years, one month and twelve days. My GP had written twice to try and get it expedited, to no avail, and I’ve just started a third attempt to get it done.

I may make an official complaint to the NHS or go to my MSP if I don’t have it done soon.

I must have the most scanned liver in the uk.
I had to contact pals and tell them not to scan me again, and to make me an appointment to discuss the scans!
Mine has been the admin side that has let me down.

I just wanted to offer my sympathy to all those waiting to be seen. It is awful to be in pain. I hope you all get your appointments soon and wish you all better health.

Mine is only a cataract removal, but I've been on a list since last summer. However , the hospital phoned me yesterday to say they have a cancellation, so I am having my assessment tomorrow. Yay!

henetha

Mine is only a cataract removal, but I've been on a list since last summer. However , the hospital phoned me yesterday to say they have a cancellation, so I am having my assessment tomorrow. Yay!

A neighbour has paid to have his cataracts done privately, as the waiting list was 2 years.

Not an operation so slightly off piste but I can't even get to see the doctor for nearly six weeks. And that's for them to ring me to see if they need to see me. I think of the NHS as people who look after my medical records.

Last November I was referred to a local hospital regarding an ear problem. Today I have received an appointment for a telephone call at the end of May. I know it probably isn't the most important thing but surely it should be looked at, I don't see how they will know anything from my description.

I’ve just had a private hip replacement. I consulted my nhs GP about the problem last August, asked for further action first week of December. As far as the nhs is concerned I am waiting for a yet-unbooked appointment with their chosen consultant to discuss an injection, which in fact I could not have because I was bone-on-bone. There are two layers of referral service between GP and consultant in my area.

The subcontractor clinic I have been passed to by nhs does not carry out hip replacements, so I would have to go through the same process again to get a correct referral, wait time I am told by various doctors 1-5 years. If I waited long enough I would have ended up with exactly what I just paid for at another subcontractor hospital.

We have had a Tory government for many years now and this is what you get.

The eye problem with toxoplasmosis/Lyme disease/retinitis was treated within one day after the original findings by the optometrist. On-going treatment in three different hospitals over 7 months. Nothing but praise for the caring, efficient, personable and lovely doctors at Stoke Mandeville, John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals in Oxford.

I had a diagnosis of a non life threatening but very uncomfortable condition in November. I had a follow up appointment ( phone call) last week, so no treatment or advice for 5 months - the day of the phone call -NO ONE CALLED or told me the appointment was cancelled. I had to chase up.
Now waiting for another appointment. Feel forgotten. May go private.

Miss adventure. I have been waiting for my gall bladder operation for a year and four month's my gallbladder has been infected twice in this time and i was hospitalized both times.
My doctor had expedited my operation i have had my pre ops but was told is the operation doesn't go ahead within six months i have to have all the tests again. Thankyou everyone for your replies.

That's the daft thing, isn't it?
I'm sure more is spent on redoing tests and and scans and paperwork, in the long run.
I dread to think how much I've cost the nhs, when in depth blood tests could have pointed the way.

There is also a thread on here somewhere (about 2 years ago, probably) that I started about dry eyes, which weren't getting better.
I've ended up with emergency appointments because of the state they're now in.

A friend had kidney stones , rushed into hospital as an emergency 5 months ago, awaiting the removal of a stent placed as a temporary measure which is causing considerable discomfort, had the pre-op three weeks ago, told to self -isolate because if she catches covid it will be several months at least before she even rejoins the list; the receptionist told her the Consultant had no right to say she was a priority and 'she'. she the receptionist, couldn't possibly give her a date in the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, private health care jumps the list every time; it should be stopped until the backlog is cleared.

Barmeyoldbat

We have had a Tory government for many years now and this is what you get.

SNP government where I live, where we also pay extra tax. Still no op, after more than two years.

I was in hospital last year (!) with a woman whose gp phoned her and told her to go home immediately, where an ambulance was waiting for her.
She was bought into hospital with ridiculously low platelets, and the plan was to do a gastroscopy to see where she may be losing blood from.
The first time she was in the gastro unit when they realised she hadn't been told to stop taking omeprazole, so it was cancelled.
Similar the second time, because it's now required to stop them for longer before the gastro, and she had only stopped 3 days before.
The last time I spoke to her she has had been discharged and never heard from them again.

Wow, some really long waiting times for some posters, I'm really quite impressed with our hospital waiting lists (I'm in Cheshire).

I can say nothing but good things about our wonderful NHS. Had my first knee replacement last September and having second one done tomorrow under 6 months between them and 10 weeks since I saw the consultant for this one.

My Dad has been told for a knee replacement it will be at least 4 years. He has already waited 18 months plus to be seen and they have advised him to pay for a private mRI - he has no life insurance and i believe it is thousands. He is in his late 60s and worked until a few months ago
I blame this government btw for underfunding the NHS and overworking retirees

I've been quite lucky then, Calendargirl, waiting for less than a year. It's a shame your neighbor had to wait so long.