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Awaiting surgery

Posted By atlasmn47

"Awaiting surgery"

About: Victoria Hospital / Ear, Nose & Throat

(as the patient),

I am awaiting ENT surgery and had a date confirmed in writing and attended my pre-assessment appointment.

I have then been issued with another letter with a revised date which I am unable to attend.

I feel that the way I have been treated when I contacted a member of staff in regards to this was not a positive experience 

I understand that some cases take priority, but I feel that I have been dismissed.

In order to attend for surgery I  have had to make personal sacrifices. 

In regards to the new date I am unable to attend due to a pre-booked holiday - I have then been told I may not have my surgery that I need this year due to me declining the offered date 

I have been made to feel that I don’t matter and my personal circumstances also do not matter - I work and have to arrange time off, my condition impacts my health which is ongoing 

To be told that my surgery will be fitted in when it can I don’t really feel is acceptable considering the length of time I have already been waiting 

Not a positive experience at all 

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Responses

Response from Lisa Allan, Senior Charge Nurse, ENT Head & Neck Unit, NHS Fife 2 months ago
Lisa Allan
Senior Charge Nurse, ENT Head & Neck Unit,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 05/09/2025 at 16:43
Published on Care Opinion at 16:43

Good Afternoon

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I’m truly sorry to hear about the difficulties you've faced regarding your ENT surgery scheduling and the impact this has had on your personal life and wellbeing.

It’s clear from your story that you’ve made significant preparations for your original surgery date, including attending your pre-assessment and making personal sacrifices to ensure you could attend. To then receive a revised date that conflicts with a pre-booked holiday—and to feel dismissed when raising this concern—is understandably frustrating and upsetting.

We absolutely recognise that every patient’s circumstances matter, and I’m sorry that you were made to feel otherwise. Your health, your time, and your commitments should be respected, and I regret that this hasn’t been your experience.

If you would be willing, I’d be happy to follow up with you directly to explore whether there’s anything further we can do to support you.

I will ensure your feedback is shared with the relevant team so that we can reflect on how we communicate and support patients in similar situations. Your voice is important, and we are grateful you’ve spoken up.

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