"Equipment failed during back fusion procedure"

I went in to the Montefiore Hospital for a standard 90 min back fusion procedure, I woke in recovery some 4 1/2 hours later, to be told "we've had complications with you" no further information was given to me until the consultant came round. They informed me that the image intensifier equipment had failed during my operation, and they had tried to fix it, then had to try to get a online service engineer to reset the system without success. So they would have to operate again within 7/10 days to put in the missing screws to stabilize my spine, when the matron came they advised me that they were all surprised about the failure as the company had only serviced the equipment the day before, and the fault was unable to be rectified so the whole day's list had to be cancelled which would be very costly! ! !

I requested from the relevant manager a fault report on why the equipment had failed immediately after service, and what would happen with Bupa funding the second operation to complete the procedure, they promised the report and not to be concerned about Bupa they would sort it out with them.

After being released home after 2 days it became apparent that I had not been given a date for the next surgery, so I contacted the consultants office to be informed that they would get me back in 4 weeks time! ! ! ! To complete the procedure, I had to argue my case about what the consultant had promised, who had declared at the time that there was not a risk of infection, but now their office was insistent that the risk was high hence the delay...I then found out that it had nothing to do with infection - my view was that they wanted to delay as they were going on holiday ! ! ended up waiting a further two weeks.

During this time I called Bupa to confirm the funding ...yeah you guessed it they had no idea about the situation, and informed me that Spire Health Care had already been paid, so my concern was with the Hospital directly not them...great! !

The Hospital said they would cover the cost, then sent a bill.

Told me not worry! ! ! I did...I asked about the report on the failed equipment, was promised as soon as they have it they will send to me.

I then had further problems about funding, then make an official complaint...this was ignored, when I pushed further Spire still stalled on any info...had to write to the Hospital Director who denied all knowledge and blamed the senior manager who was off not leaving instruction regarding my request. They then supplied some but not of the information. In this the service engineers report on the service the day before my operation. It states "service incomplete further work required" and had not been signed off.......no wonder I was not worry! ! !

I have requested further information about how this has happened to me but it's now taken over three months and still no information. This looks like a case of profit before patient care; they only had one machine and didn't want to loose a days surgery while the equipment could be correctly serviced! ! ! !

I feel like they really don't care just want your money.