32 weeks on the waiting list don’t know where to go from here HELP

Posted , 14 users are following.

I have now been on the waiting list for 32 weeks, I have phoned the booking administrator a few times to ask what the position is I find her most unhelpful.  I was originally told that I could not go on anyone else’s list as my hip was a really complex hip and only my surgeon that done my right hip would do it.  I first phoned at 12 weeks and was told quite cheekily that I was not the only one

waiting and not to phone again just to wait either on a phone call

or a letter.

18 weeks I phoned again as everyone was putting pressure on me saying they can’t leave you in this state they can’t go by the 18 weeks that is the guaranteed treatment time well hey ho was told again basically there was nothing I could do just wait the booking administrator is possibly the most unsympathetic person I have ever met in my life, but I still stay pleasant actually I was crying on the phone that day as I was at my wits end.  

To give a little insight into this never ending saga I am a 54 year old female and I was told when I was 45 that I needed both hips done right away but as I was so young they were loathe to do them and also I was overweight so I would need to lose the weight, so I struggled on and lost the required weight I eventually got the first RTHR Done in March 2015 which has been ok, but my surgeon came to see me the next day and said it was possibly the worst hip replacement he had done in his 35 years and that he wanted me to lose more weight to get the left one done as that one was worse than the right which was rubbish at that point as the right one in my opinion was worse.  I was in theatre for 4.5 hours and they broke one of my teeth as they had to intubate really fast, the anethitist came up and apologised for breaking my tooth and told me to send him the bill, obviously I never I paid for it myself.  

At 21 weeks I fell so went to A & E and the on call doctor was lovely she sent me for an X-ray and when she seen it she was shocked and said no wonder I was in pain as there was nothing left of my hip joint she thought she was going to keep me in but she had to get an orthopaedic consultant down and he said that unfortunately it requires 2 surgeons to do my hip as it is really complex and that they have to tie up there time and a theatre time so that was were the problem lay and he said that my surgeons list was running at 24 weeks plus at that point so he said you won’t have to much longer.  

So I went home with hope that I wouldn’t be much longer so the 24 weeks came and no news so I phoned the booking admin lady again told her what I was told and she said that was rubbish and more or less said I was lying as no one would say that to me I again asked if I could be referred to another surgeons list and again she said no as not my surgeon could do my hip so basically wait on the phone call or letter I was really upset and struggling with the situation.

My Mum fell and broke her shoulder and her appointment was at my surgeons clinic so I ventured out in the hope I could speak to him which I did here is how the conversation went

Surgeon: what are you doing here

Me: aww I’m here with my Mum, how are you? is there any sign of me getting my hip done as I am really struggling in my nicest most pleasant manner

Surgeon: my list is running at 26 weeks plus

Me: I’m 29 weeks

Surgeon: well if you don’t want to wait on me phone up and go on someone else’s list 

Me: aww I thought I couldn’t go on anyone else’s list

Surgeon: if you don’t want to wait

Me: ok thank you it was nice seeing you 

32 weeks now and still heard nothing so I phoned the booking administrator and she said I’ve already told you you have to wait on a letter or phone call so I said that I had spoke to my surgeon 3 weeks ago and he said that I could phone and go onto someone else’s list she said no you can’t no one else will take you because of the complexity of your hip and your other medical problems, I said what other medical problems she said your narrow windpipe.

I have been walking with crutches for seven years I have been sitting up in bed sleeping for the last 14 months and now have bed sores I take 80mg of Morphine in the morning and 80mg at night and then 20 mg throughout the day as I need it as well as paracetamol, I am ready for screaming the place down.

ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AS I AM AT MY WITS END

Sorry for the long winded post.

Happy Halloween (Living the Nightmare)

BIG HUGS

JACQ X😢😢😢💕💕

 

1 like, 33 replies

33 Replies

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  • Posted

    Did you ever contact your MP Jacq? Or the PALS dept at the hospital. You really need extra pressure putting on or to be referred elsewhere. Your MP should help you. Good luck 

    Ann 

    • Posted

      Hi Ann I think I am going to write to my MSP tomorrow and I did contact the PALS Dept but they basically told me not to waste my time writing to my MSP as that would not change anything, the only one that might have any sway would be my GP but that’s didn’t work as he wrote to him with no result.

      i will let you know how I get on.

      Big Hugs 

      Jacq x

    • Posted

      Perhaps the press would be interested in your story too. Worth sending an email outlining your predicament to the national and local papers. 

      Regards

      Ann

    • Posted

      Dear Annie

      I think this would have the potential to get fast results. Good idea.

      Cheers

      Richard

    • Posted

      Hi Ann I would be too embarrassed to go to the press I’m quite a private person and that’s the reason I find this group really helpful as I can get what I need to off my chest and feel a bit better.  But thanks for suggesting it.

      Hugs 

      Jacq x

  • Posted

    Gosh this sounds like a living nightmare, I’m sorry you have to go through this

    You are being let down big time and must be so frustrating 

    Report them to be British medical Council

    Shocking to be treated so dismissively 

    I don’t know what to say really but wishing you well and hope you don’t have to wait much longer

    Kind regards 

    • Posted

      Thanks very much Zibbett, hopefully won’t be much longer although I won’t hold my breath.

      Big Hugs

      Jacq x

    • Posted

      Hi Zibbett, I think you mean the General Medical Council.
  • Posted

    Dear Jacq

    I do of course remember our conversations from the past and am really, really sorry to hear that you are still waiting for your surgery.

    It must be truly awful to be left in this situation and to be spoken to in such an unfeeling way by the surgeon and his support team.

    Wishing you added strength to get you through this ordeal.

    Richard

  • Posted

    Your story is horrific, I’m sorry. I have no advice to offer you. But your story makes me glad I live in the US, where we pick our surgeon and schedule. I always kind of envied your NHS but after reading about your situation I’ve Changed my mind! Best of luck to you.
  • Posted

    Hi I had to wait for 9 months for my op date I was told it could be a year as mine was more complicated the reason for a long wait was because they don’t have the beds because if an emergency comes in they take the beds of the planned op so it just makes the wait longer I would write to PALS and at least they can find out how long u will have to wait so maybe the will put your mind at rest
    • Posted

      Thanks Clare I am willing to give anything a try at this point, I’m in Scotland and I did phone Patient Affairs but they could not do anything.

      Hugs

      Jacq x

    • Posted

      Dear Jacq

      Do I remember correctly that one reason for staying with your present surgeon is due to the complexity of the surgery and that it requires two surgeons?

      Cheers Richard

    • Posted

      Hi Richard yes that was what I was told the night I went to A&E by the ortho  consultant, that was the first time I had been told that he said that the reason it is taking so long is because it requires 2 surgeons one surgeon does the first part and then my surgeon takes over and does the rest and they have to tie up there time, theatre time.  I phoned the booking administrator and she said that was rubbish and more or less said I was lying.  I have been told so many different things I am at my wits end, but why would that consultant say that if it wasn’t true he was so nice and tried to explain why I have been waiting for so long, but he also said I wouldn’t be much longer as my surgeons list was running at 24 weeks at that point and I was sitting at 21 weeks then so thought I would only be another few weeks.  Now here I am 32 weeks later and still no further forward.  What is also really annoying me is one of my friends went to consultant at the same hospital as me because she was having twinges in her hip she does not take any medication and admits it’s only when she stands up it’s a bit stiff until she takes a couple of steps and then she is fine and she is getting her operation on the 6th December. I don’t understand the system at all.

      Big Hugs

      Jacq x

    • Posted

      Dear Jacq

      I thought that I had remembered correctly. I think all we can do is be here for you while you hang on in there. It's very tough for you.

      Keep strong.

      Richard

    • Posted

      Thanks Richard I really appreciate that x 

      Hugs

      Jacq x 💕

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