"Recovery is going to be extensive and painful"

Partner has just undergone complex surgery on her foot which could have been avoided if doctors/staff had acted much sooner.   She has never been ill and rarely visited a surgery but few years ago a foot began to swell and toe distended to one side.   She visited Waterside only to be told by the GP to buy bigger shoe. This is the absolute truth! She came away appalled & dejected.   She would not revisit despite my cajoling.   She finally relented due to increase in pain. This time a same day visit to GWM. By this time surgeries had combined due to the demise of Waterside. Blood test (gout) & x ray.   Xray revealed  serious problem of arthritic toe with loss of membrane with advice from doctor to go back to own GP as it would require surgery. Back to Waterside & saw locum who viewed X ray & confirmed other GP's opinion. Locum referred partner for surgery.

Appointment soon came thru' to attend St Marys Hosp but cancelled very next day. Reason given no funding had been applied for.   This was new to us and it was stated that funding for the operation was needed.     Photographs were required and obtained at QA.   Appointment to MSK triaged with Physio. Spoke to medical secretary at the practice who was typing up report to put to  CCG for the funding stated the referral was for a bunion!   Tried to explain was not a bunion but a Valgus rigidus hence why funding issue. Once got to MSK who examined immediately stated was NOT a funding issue and immediately referred to QA. By this time partner was walking on the side of her foot to alleviate the pain. MRI revealed outer tendon torn. Consultant examination confirm tendon would need re-attatching, heel breaking and re aligning and toe fusing straight.   The toe had now become the lesser operation.   So now, after nearly two years partner underwent that operation going into surgery  at 1pm to coming back from recovery 8pm! all down  to a  GP who did not arrange to set up some tests in the 1st place and then the on going farse of trying to obtain funding from CCG. Recovery is going to be extensive and painful. The surgery should hang it's head in shame.