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Clock for second op ticks very slowly

Posted , 6 users are following.

henry54998
henry54998

I had my left eye done on 16 February and a follow up with a nurse a month later. I had heard from friends, who went to the same hospital, that the op on the other eye would be only 6-12 weeks after the first. Having heard not a peep, despite getting a similar impression at the nurse consultation, I phoned up in case I had been mis-filed, only to be told that the 18 week clock was reset from the nurse consultation. That meant my second op could be as late as mid-July.

Really surprised, as for for six months I'd not wearing correct glasses, especially as that is pointed up as a difficult time;in my case for my hobby of choral singing that requires good sight for small print.

IMO op was good, but NHS beaurocracy lacks sense.

1 like, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • gayle34096
    gayle34096 henry54998

    Posted

    I agree totally I had my eye done on the 16 January. Went to opticians end of February to be told I couldn't have any glasses as my prescription was so far apart and I have to have my left eye done. I have had two letters from hospital each time postponing my appointment. So I am like you it's causing me to have eye strain. So not good. I feel for you.
    • henry54998
      henry54998 gayle34096

      Posted

      I think either it's either strain or dry eye with me atm too. I got a bit concerned recently when parts of pages became faint. Momentary terror until I ralised that one of the little bits over the nose had got very slack and I was reading through that.
  • derek76
    derek76 henry54998

    Posted

    Mostly I hear that six months is the norm between operations.

    I was struggling to cope with reading with only one good eye. I was fortunate as I phoned in with a slight problem and the nurse I spoke to checked and found that they had a cancellation. When I hesitated I was told now after two months or in four months time.  

  • tigitigi72
    tigitigi72 henry54998

    Posted

    i recently saw Retina specialist after cataract removal from my right eye left me with less vision than before.  Like you,  i cannot get any new glasses until both eyes are done.  In the meantime,  I can't see properly. certainly not to read for any length of time, because my glasses  are  now almost useless due to my sight being 'unbalanced'.  This is particularly hard for me as reading is my hobby and I haven't read a book since the op 2 months ago.

    I really feel for you over the delay but Good luck with your second op anyway and I hope your sight improves enough to continue with your hobby of choral singing.

     

    • henry54998
      henry54998 tigitigi72

      Posted

      I think it should. Just starting anoher round for a concert early in June. It carries a three line whip too. In some ways I'd like to retire until eye done and glasses fitted, but feel under obligation to struugle on as my section is v.small.
  • mamaqueue
    mamaqueue henry54998

    Posted

    Wow. My Dr. said 2 weeks. I just got the 2nd one done today. I cant imagine having to go that long all jabberwockey. So sorry.
    • gayle34096
      gayle34096 derek76

      Posted

      Hi I'm in the UK I had my first one done in January and I'm still waiting I don't go see anyone until end of June then I willhave to wait to have it done.
    • henry54998
      henry54998 gayle34096

      Posted

      Our NHS can be logically incomprehensible with the inconvenience it puts users to by blindly following protocols. Or fiddling when it suits the management!! May be there will be a rename after 7May to No Hurry Service.

      To be fair between 2000-2003 I did well from NHS; ops for Ca; CABG x 4 and gall blladder removal

    • derek76
      derek76 henry54998

      Posted

      When complaining about the 18 week treatment promise not being kept when having tests while waiting for aortic valve replacement the cardiologist said that it had been abandoned for a while in 2012.

      My GP referred me to a neurologist in early January this year. After not hearing anything I looked at the hospital website. It said that paitents would get their initial appointment in eight weeks and treatment within twelve weeks. I contacted the consultants secretary who said that the times were now twelve and sixteen weeks. By last week week it had been extended to eighteen weeks for the initial appointment and that I should be hearing soon.  

    • derek76
      derek76 mamaqueue

      Posted

      Things are very different here.

      My friend in Denver also had his second cataract done in two weeks. 

      I waited 54 weeks for my aortic valve replacement a friend in Baltimore had his done within three weeks of diagnosis.

    • henry54998
      henry54998 derek76

      Posted

      But how to compare the two systems?? Ok the US system may be quick, whilst we have to wait in a queue. It does mean that over there lives can be planned, but I don't know how I would have fared with my hsitory. Ireckon that the operations I emtioned earler and the latest would at current prices cost #£60 with out all the consultations and tests. I nice though NOT.

      At least care has not got the dread of its bankrupting me, as I have heard of the Stateside system.

    • derek76
      derek76 henry54998

      Posted

      My American friends had health care through their employment or were covered by being Veterans plus Medicare and a little private insurance. They all get a lot more in the way of tests and preventive medicine than we do.

      Over the past few years I've had two prostate laser surgeries, two cataracts and a heart valve replaced but with very long waiting times to get them.

      We looked into Cook County hospital when we were in Chicago out of interest to see where E.R. was filmed. We met a doctor who spotted stangers and gave us an interesting guided tour and an insight into their system.

       

  • henry54998
    henry54998

    Posted

    Whoopee! A little pressure has been applied and I have appt in June, and am also on cancellation list if something earlier comes up.

    Now it's more encouraging a funny ( I think it isconfused). Back in 68 I had my first hernia, and was on the list. One evening I watched a Canadian film on TV, where someone had died having a hernia op. Next morning hospital phoned that they had a more or less immediate slot due to a cancellation. I wonder why the other chap cancelled.

    That was when they still used knitting needles to darn you.eek

    • mamaqueue
      mamaqueue henry54998

      Posted

      OMG that was too funny. Bless your heart. Im going in for my 2nd cataract post op appt in a minute and I sure needed a giggle.

      Thanks sooo much.

      Stay well.

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