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Waiting on surgery for endometriosis

Posted By Hopless.3

"Waiting on surgery for endometriosis"

About: The Princess Royal Maternity Unit / Gynaecology

(as the patient),

I am awaiting surgery, I have endometriosis, adenomyosis cysts and fibroids, I have lived with this most of my life but the past 5 years have been the worst. I had to undergo loads of test before eventually getting it confirmed with a MRI scan showing my womb was fused to my bowl and my left fallopian tube also attached to my womb. I have attended pain management clinics and went through numerous different medications and pain plans, one ending up in hospital with colitis. I am now on the medication that has the least side effects but I am in constant pain everyday and have no social life I just make my work, well the days that I can.

I was officially put on the register and was told it would be 18 months to my operation, that then moved up to 2 years and now 28 months. I am struggling every day. I know I am not the only one waiting but I have heard of one person I know being told she needs the same operation and will get it in 6 months and another girl got offered to go to a private clinic paid by the NHS. Can someone tell me how this is? 

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Responses

Response from Nikki Harvey, Lead nurse -Gynaecology, Gynaecology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 2 weeks ago
Nikki Harvey
Lead nurse -Gynaecology, Gynaecology,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 24/09/2025 at 09:37
Published on Care Opinion at 09:37

picture of Nikki Harvey

Dear Hopless.3,

Thank you for sharing your experience so openly. I am truly sorry to hear how much pain you are living with and the impact this is having on your day-to-day life. I understand how difficult and frustrating it must feel to be waiting so long for surgery, especially while coping with constant symptoms and seeing differences in waiting times for others.

I want to assure you that your concerns are taken seriously. To allow us to look into your situation in more detail and provide you with the right support, I would encourage you to please contact myself, directly by email at:

nikki.harvey@nhs.scot.

I will be able to listen to your concerns and discuss your individual circumstances further.

Thank you again for raising this and for your patience during such a challenging time.

With kind regards,

Nikki

Nikki Harvey Lead Nurse Gynaecology/ACS

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Update posted by Hopless.3 (the patient)

I have now been told why my surgery has been delayed and that it was because they had no anaesthetist, but have not been told why this is? I have also done some research and believe that there are separate theatres for emergency surgeries.

I also know of people who have had their procedure privately, but paid for by the NHS. I have been told that my own endocrinologist would not be able to do this. With this extra money the NHS is spending paying for patients to go private, could they not have ensured the scheduled surgery took place?

Response from Nikki Harvey, Lead nurse -Gynaecology, Gynaecology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde last week
Nikki Harvey
Lead nurse -Gynaecology, Gynaecology,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Submitted on 03/10/2025 at 14:28
Published on Care Opinion at 14:28

picture of Nikki Harvey

Hi Hopless.3,

Thank you for sharing your feedback and for taking the time to explain your concerns about the delay to your surgery. I am so very sorry to hear of the distress this continues to cause you.

You are right that surgery can sometimes be delayed due to the availability of key staff such as anaesthetists, and I understand how frustrating and worrying it must be when you are given little explanation at the time. I also recognise your concerns about how theatre capacity and private provider arrangements are managed.

So that I can look into your individual circumstances in more detail, please contact me on:

Nikki.Harvey@nhs.scot

Thank you again for raising this – your feedback helps us to improve our services.

Kind regards,

Nikki

Nikki Harvey, Lead Nurse for Gynaecology/ACS

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
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