"When I was finally admitted for ..."

What I liked

When I was finally admitted for my surgery the nursing staff and my new consultant were wonderful.

What could be improved

I was initially admitted for emergency discetomy surgery because of severe pain due to a 'slipped disc' in my neck in July 2009, the operation couldn't be done as my BP was too high. I was sent home to see my GP for medication and told I would be re-admitted as soon as my BP had reduced. My BP was monitored and it had dropped within 6 weeks, a report sent to my consultant. I was called in for a pre-op in Aug 09 to check and it was fine. Then nothing, no date for surgery. I had an appointment for Out Patients in Oct 09 and saw my consultants registrar who had no idea why I was there as my notes were 'all over the place'. I had to tell her that I was on the list for surgery and she had to check this was correct with his secretary and then sent me home saying that I should hear from them within 3 months even though I was still in considerable pain. During all this time I constantly rang to speak to my consultants secretary and the lady that books the surgery dates to no avail, I was consistantly told that there were no dates available as there were so many emergency admittances. I asked why my status had been dropped from emergency but was not given a viable answer. Each time I rang I was told it was going to be at least 3 months wait. I even agreed to change consultants if need be as my consultant had no space. My GP wrote in to plead my case but no difference. I contacted the PAL's office and asked if they could help, they passed my details to admin but nothing was done. I contacted them again in January 10 and they thought that my case had been dealt with. They then passed all details to the exectutive management office who contacted me and said there was nothing they could do as they had not any surgery dates available. I told them that I would be contacting my MP and within a week I had a call to say another consultant could operate and I finally had my surgery on Feb 15th, I have been left with possible permanent nerve damage in my hand due to the delay.

Anything else?

This was caused by bad management, administration and lack of consultant surgeons, if I hadn't kept on pushing I could still be waiting now. Even on the day of final admission they had failed to put my name on the surgery list but my new consultant managed to get me in and he has had to put on extra out patient clinics to enable him to see everyone. Everyone is entitled to NHS treatment within time limits but this is not happening in the neuroscience department,