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Asking For An Operarion - Is It Really This Simple?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
There's an operation I can have on my eyes so that I don't have to keep on tilting my head, which gives me neck pain. Over the last week or so, it has become worse. I post on a message board for this condition and someone there made a thread about this operation. I gave her some information and asked how I would go about asking for this operation. I got an email from one of the moderators. He asked me what city I live in and said he'd see what hospitals do this operation and he offered to pass my email address on to someone whose son had this operation at one of the local hospitals. He also told me that all I need to do is go to my doctor and that would be it.
Is it really that simple?
Is it really that simple?
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18 weeks from referral to operation...
see GP (max wait few days)
referral leading to appointment with consultant (6 months)
consultant to operation (6 months)
overall I was thinking over 1 year to 18 months - 18 weeks seems quick
Perhaps make a diary of the pain, and you can give that in at the same time. It may even highlight how the pain can be aggravated.
If it is horrendous, perhaps you have access to BUPA...
I saw my GP recently about my double vision, and straight away he referred me to a specialist.
You may need to have a sight test beforehand, so that they can write a report to send to your GP...
See GP within 48 hours, electronic referral to consultant, seen in outpatients within 10 weeks, operation within 8.
That happens for over 60% of people now (unless it's orthopaedics), will happen for over 90% by March and 100% (inc. Orthopaedics) by December 08.
And yes, that includes diagnostic tests.
You can even get referred to a Private Hospitl on the NHS these days. because not too many people take that option (less than 10% of all NHS referrals, believe it or not!) the waits are still relatively short even though it's NHS funded treatment
My old doctors it could be up to 10 days until I get an appointment.
Despite electronic referal it took 6 months for my first appointment with a consultant and I'm in the middle of a 7 month wait for my second appointment.
Waiting times depend on the hospital you get referred to, the consultant you are refered to and the type of treatment you and referred for.
ah ha ha ha ha, good comedy you got goin on there.
How does one do this?
You have the right to be seen by a GP within your practice within 48 working hours.
You have the right to chose a hospital and most GPs now offer this electronically.
You have the right to treatment, from the date of referral within 18 weeks (effective Dec 08), but again the majority of people will see no difference because that already happens.
You can scoff all you like, I see these facts every single day of my working life.
If you don't get that then complain to the people/PCT involved.
Wish I could find a link to the facts which support the points I am making. I'm not going to sit here a trot out a load of bullshit am I, what would be the point of that.
I see this happening every day because it's the arena I work in.
Ask for it.
Every PCT had an obligation to offer at least one private hospital as a choice for patients.
A couple of links:
Choice
18 Weeks Programme
48 Hour Access
Thanks for the patient choice links, is all this supposed to be common knowledge, or are the GPs supposed to explain it because I didn't know that was how it worked? Also, are they supposed to explain what and where teh different hosp opptions are or do you have to research them yourself and ask for your own choice?
It's self perpetuating.
Everyone worries that they won't get an appointment so everyone rings at 8am. Then everyone find that the number is engaged. Many don't both to ring back and just trip up to A&E.
If you are struggling to get anything (NB The practice should let you book for the following day) then write and ask what their system is for booking appointments, what consultation they have done with patients and how they cope with demand. If you aren;t happy contact the PCT.
There is supposed to be publicity in the waiting area. There is supposed to be something in the local press and yes the GP is supposed to explain options to you.
TBH It doesn;t matter how much publicity we give things, either we aren;t believed (
:razz: