"Great in an urgent case, but otherwise, not the..."

I was admitted by one of the Neurosurgical Consultants on an urgent basis almost two years ago. At the time, I had symptoms of Cauda Equina Syndrome which had been trivialised for around five months by GP's, therefore I am extremely grateful (words, honestly, cannot describe my gratitude) that the surgeon I saw took the appropriate action. I am sincerely thankful for this and appreciate that it was no mean feat to make such arrangements on the spot. This was truly excellent, and I cannot thank the entire hospital enough. I really mean this.

Despite the surgery technically being a success, I am now in more pain and experience a greater intensity of numbness and such symptoms, plus the addition of a post-op foot drop. I was unfortunately never allowed to see my actual surgeon to discuss these issues, but instead had to endure follow-up consultations with an egotistical Extended Scope Practitioner (ESP).

Having overcome the disappointment of being disallowed the opportunity to consult an actual surgeon after major surgery to permanently alter the structure of my spine, and being made to wait three months for any such consultation in any case, I was delighted to discover that the ESP assigned to my case was arrogant, hostile, abrupt, made no attempt to make me feel at ease, and had absolutely no interest in addressing my concerns. His correspondence to my GP was highly inaccurate, which, given his attitude and the content of his letters, led me to be suspicious of his motive. He was rather vile, actually, and I would never agree to see him again. Never.

The most concerning aspect of my experience at The Walton is that they are so unwilling to acknowledge my post-surgical pain. Having been tossed out like an item of no value, I have since obtained further opinions from two consultant spinal surgeons practising at independent hospitals. They have both confirmed that I have an issue which requires specialist neurosurgical intervention, and I am currently in the process of obtaining such specialist care. Had I have blindly listened to the opinion of The Walton and not sought a second opinion, I would be living my life in constant pain; not knowing why; not having support; not having a solution; not having hope. Is this the 'excellence' you profess to provide?