"Ophthalmology failures"

I previously left a story on Care Opinion which has led to this point in my care around an operation on my right eye at NDDH.

Following on from this I was given an appointment with the new surgical team, in May 25, and a date for my operation which was to be end of June in Exeter.

On the morning of my operation, I was telephoned and my operation cancelled.  

I had, of course made arrangements to be away from the farm, for a driver to take me the 2 hour journey to the Hospital and bring me back.

The operation has now been re-scheduled for early July 25; a difficult time and a difficult date for me; but I am desperate to have the sight restored in my right eye and I am aware of the threat appended to the offer that the procedure might not be carried out at all if I decline the date.

If the procedure does indeed go ahead in July, it will be 18 months after my original referral and almost a full six months after the operation that blinded me in the right eye.

During the six months since my failed operation, I have been disabled. The difficulties caused to my work and family have been a constant burden and very depressing for me.

I am unimpressed by the lack of care and concern for me as a patient.  I am an active working farmer but my operation was delegated to a trainee.  It went wrong and the operation could not be completed.  Instead of addressing the completion of the operation and trying to minimise the damage to me as a matter of urgency, I have been set aside and feel very much neglected. this was underlined by the dismissive and unfeeling way that the last surgery was cancelled with no understanding or thought for the impact on me or my family.

The cancellation of my long awaited procedure today has caused me disruption and distress.  I had prepared for the operation and organised a lift from my son to and from Exeter meaning he has had to give up a day of work.

The new appointment, another three weeks away, has been presented to me, take it or leave it, when my son will not be available to act as driver, at a time which means that I will have to come to Exeter by train and stay overnight at my own expense.  

I would have appreciated more care and understanding for the extreme inconveniences and discomforts not to mention costs that the repeated mistakes of the NHS have caused me.