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Waiting times for Hip Replacement

Posted , 7 users are following.

susie74530
susie74530

I am wondering what the usual wait is for hip replacement in the Wiltshire/Somerset area?  When I contacted my hospital of choice, I was told that there was a wait for NHS patients of 6 - 12 weeks. Given the current state of the NHS, I was somewhat suprised by this.   

Now, I have been given information that some people are being made to wait for anything from 16 weeks to 40!  Another has said 6 months.

Does anyone know what the actual timing is currently in this area?  We have the holidays coming up, and the surgeons are certainly entitled to a break, but not entirely at the expense of those patients in intense pain, who will not be having any sort of a Christmas because of their pain levels.

There does seem to be some confusion as to waiting times, and a lot of it appears to depend on postal codes. 

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • ian97093
    ian97093 susie74530

    Posted

    Hi Suzie I was told that they have to see you within 18 weeks, and I had to wait 16 weeks but I had only Nine weeks between operations, as I healed up quite quickly, it is up to the hospitals, and they also like to pospone at the last min...so dont count any chickens yet, I was in terrible pain, and could hardly walk at all, but dont seem to matter, there are loads of people getting it done these days, but once it is done you will get your life back, not getting it done is really not an option, dont be scared...I am in Blackpool NW. 

    kEEP IN TOUCH...  Ian.

    • susie74530
      susie74530 ian97093

      Posted

      Thanks Ian:

      We are rather treated like sheep, to be herded about at will.  I have used the 18 week time frame as a guide, but have been advised that the NHS are not adhering to it, and people are having to wait far longer.  I guess it's a "good  policy" to schedule a patient in for surgery, just before the 18 week period elapses and then cancel at the last minute.  That way, they look as though they are not in violation of the law, amd probably did not have an available bed for that time slot, anyway!  Or, am I being too cynical..!

  • ian97093
    ian97093 susie74530

    Posted

    No Susie...That would lead to complications and fraud...Please have confidence and speak up...Do a moan to the hospital and keep asking for any cancellations...say once a fourtnight...just to show some interest in the process..and keep them aware of the pain that you are in...and that the painlikkers really dont work...they numb it..but it never really does go away...

    But I am getting on fine just being careful...still...and still using a stick from time to time, to keep strengthening my left once strongest side, as my right is now my stronger, and I am left sided too...eek big surprise that one...Ian+++

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 susie74530

    Posted

    The NHS try and adhere to the 18 weeks wherever possible. However it does vary from area to area and to some extent to the type of catchment area they are dealing with. In Wiltshire/Somerset there is at least one specialist orthopaedic hospital, Shepton Mallett treatment centre which does a lot of THR,s. This makes the waiting list less for other places. When I got my choose and book forms and phoned Devizes as required they told me the approx waiting list for each hospital
  • alice85142
    alice85142 susie74530

    Posted

    I had just unbder a 12 week wait from Salisbury Dist which I thought was very good..I cancelled as was so nervous so someone would have had that slot...I then went privately for personal phbia reasons only.

    SDH is very good and has a joint school you go to pre op.

    ALi 2 

    • susie74530
      susie74530 alice85142

      Posted

      Many thank Ali:

      That is a pretty good turn around.  It is not comformatable waiting for surgery, but at the same time, it does give time to get the ducks lined up and any preparations made that had not been anticipated.

      All the best,

      Susie

    • ian97093
      ian97093 susie74530

      Posted

      Susie...It is a shock to the system once the operation is done and you have to rearange your life...yes the pain is gone, but you will be frail, I am still frail in the same year...but I can walk and get about...Dont think I will ever ruun again but I can nip through from the bedromm to get to the landline again, I have a smart phone but my friends and family dont use it yet...late user Silver Smart Phoner...Hmmm...it is scarey for the first week, but it gets better fast...and every day the bed business gets easier...and the pain is gone...gone...gone...and you know it was the right thing to do..Please dont worry, we are all here for you, quite a Blog...Ian +++
  • gillian18780
    gillian18780 susie74530

    Posted

    I wated only seven weeks . I'm in Andover and went to Basingstoke Hospital who were fantastic.
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