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"mouth surgery after dog bite"

About: Chelsea & Westminster Hospital / Plastic surgery

Was sent here from st Mary's as they didn't have a plastic surgeon ready at the time. I got there on Saturday at 2pm with half my top lip hanging off(literally) and stitches needed the whole way round the top lip inside and out. Considering I was bitten by a 50 pound plus dog they done no X-rays to check if my teeth or jaw was affected which I later found out after months of pain and aching. I went into the operating theatre at 2pm the next day which I found crazy considering the severity of the injury and the part of the body it was on, I was told by the surgeon before the op if I was unhappy with anything or anything seemed out of place we can discuss it at a later time and sort the problem which I found comforting. After the 24 hour wait for surgery I was told I can go home and they will send me an appointment to get my injury cleaned and checked by the nurse for 3 days time, the letter never come and I had to ring up and remind them way over a week later. I went back to get it cleaned and stitches taken out, luckily there was no infection because if there was it would of been down to them not doing there job properly which tends to happen a lot on the NHS nowadays. I was then told I'd get a follow up appointment to see my surgeon and again no letter in the post which is absolutely crazy considering the injury and the fact they forgot to send me a appointment to get it checked and cleaned.. I met with the surgeon and was disappointed to see it was a different person. He said the other doctor left this hospital and is not here anymore but they were one of my team I'm head of the plastic surgery. I couldn't help but think the man that operated on me was a student and the fact that the leading surgeon didn't operate on my mouth bemuses me, I really wish I could add pictures to show the severity of the bite. I explained my mouth seemed slightly out of place or lopsided but my mouth was still slightly swollen so after telling me to pout a few times he told me everything was looking good however I was pessimistic. 2 years on and problems still occurring, mouth still looks lopsided and countless problems with my jaw as well as speech problems. Avoid this plastic surgery department like the plague if you are on the NHS because they obviously only care about private patients and even then I wouldn't recommend.

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Responses

Response from Chelsea & Westminster Hospital 6 years ago
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
Submitted on 23/11/2017 at 13:33
Published on nhs.uk at 14:31


Dear Patient,

We are very sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience here at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. If you wish for the case to be investigated please email our complaints department at complaints.team@chelwest.nhs.uk

Please note that they accept complaints which are one year old but they might be able to accept it.

Kind Regards,

Patient Experience Team

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