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Parkinsons patient going for cataract surgery

Posted By leost58

"Parkinsons patient going for cataract surgery"

About: Golden Jubilee National Hospital / Pre-Op Assessments University Hospital Hairmyres / Pre Operative Assessment

(as a carer),

My Mum (in her 80's) was told in 06/2023 that she would be referred by the optician for a cataract operation and that it could take up to two years.  At the end of 2024 she received a referral to go to the Golden Jubilee Hospital for a pre-op assessment.   My mum no longer drives and this would be a 6 hour return trip for a fit person and therefore she would have to rely on patient transport.  As it turned out I called the hospital and explained my mums condition and the appointment was cancelled and her place on the waiting list re-established. 

Golden Jubilee pre-assessment doesn't deal with  patients with any complications.  Mum got the call to go to Hairmyres for pre-assesment and we again went to the appointment and again had to explain Mums condition and was told we would have to come back for another pre assessment due to the requirement for a general anaesthetic. 

Our treatment by staff was exemplary but taking the time and admin in arranging three appointments when only one was required seems like a waste of resources.  Mums Parkinsons diagnosis is ten years old and I can't imagine there are any people in their 80's with the condition who could meet the cataract op requirements without a GA.  

As it is the op was a success, all staff Mum met were professional, helpful and friendly.   

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Responses

Response from Jennifer Montgomery, Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate, NHS Lanarkshire 4 months ago
Jennifer Montgomery
Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate,
NHS Lanarkshire

Operational Lead for Care Opinion in NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 14/02/2025 at 13:14
Published on Care Opinion at 13:14

picture of Jennifer Montgomery

Dear leost58,

Thank you for sharing your experience of University Hospital Hairmyres, Pre-Assessment.

I am sorry to hear that the information about your mums condition was not communicated between the Pre-Assessment team at the Golden Jubilee and the team within Hairmyres. I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been to have to explain this again and then have to attend again due to the need for a general anaesthetic. I am pleased, however, that the staff were professional and provided excellent care to your mum.

If you would like us to look into this further please contact our Patient Affairs team on patientaffairs@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk and they will be able to investigate and provide a personal response.

I hope your mum has recovered well.

Best Wishes,

Jenni

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Update posted by leost58 (a carer)

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I would like to know that if this was something that should have happened that the relevant steps are taken to address the lapse. If it is a fault in the process then perhaps it could be addressed to ensure elderly patients with underlying conditions aren’t unduly stressed by multiple appointments and the NHS aren’t processing unnecessary appointments.

My mum has recovered well and it is a life improving op (just a shame it’s 18/24 months of sight impairment).

Thank you all for the good work.

Response from Paula McPhail, Feedback and Legal Co-ordinator, Clinical Governance, NHS Golden Jubilee 4 months ago
Paula McPhail
Feedback and Legal Co-ordinator, Clinical Governance,
NHS Golden Jubilee

Submitted on 19/02/2025 at 16:40
Published on Care Opinion at 16:40

Dear leost58,

Thank you for sharing your mum’s story on Care Opinion. I am very sorry to read your mum’s patient journey and the lack of communication between health boards. Jenni and I are keen to ensure this does not happen again and would be keen to work together to ensure this is the case. It would be very helpful to be provided with your mum’s details to allow us to look into this fully. My contact details are 0141 951 5951 or feedback@gjnh.scot.nhs.uk

I am very pleased to read that the staff were very professional, helpful and friendly and nice to read she is recovering well.

Regards

Paula

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