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Care Opinion

Waiting time for gallbladder surgery

Posted By Lady in waiting

"Waiting time for gallbladder surgery"

About: Ninewells Hospital / General Surgery Perth Royal Infirmary / Pre-Assessment Clinic

(as the patient),

In May 2019 I had the first of experience of gallbladder problems when an acute bout of pain ended up with me being admitted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.I was given antibiotics and pain medication and received various scans. I was informed then that I would probably need to get my gallbladder removed.

But after about a week I was sent home. I had a number of recurrent bouts of this pain and was in and out of hospital 4 or 5 times over the next few months. Each time being told yes I needed my gall bladder removed. And was put on the waiting list for surgery.  

In each visit the staff and all who took care of me were wonderful.I could not have wished for better care and I do think that everyone in the NHS really do go that extra mile for patients. But I never once got a direct answer when I asked how long it would be until I got my surgery.

Eventually I did get a letter of apology because I had not had the surgery within the NHS waiting times.  Then I received a letter telling me to go to Perth Royal Infirmary for my surgery in March.  I attended and waited. Only to be told by the consultant that I should not have been sent that letter as this was for routine operations only and mine might not be routine. Also he was going on holiday the next day, but would have me on his list for when he returned. but by the time he did get back this whole Covid thing had happened.

I fully understand the disruption that Covid has caused. And my thoughts and prayers are with all who work in the NHS all through this time.  I have phoned a couple of times to ask for information, but just get told that at this time there is nothing they can tell me as my surgery is not urgent.  

How do I feel about this? Having my life on hold popping pain pills when needed with morphine on standby  just in case the pain does get bad enough, and feeling generally unwell for all this time is to say the least depressing. Not just for the effect it is having on me, but on family and friends as well.  Basically I just want this over with.

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Responses

Response from Stuart Keys, Clinical Care Group Manager, General Surgery, Urology, Vascular Surgery, NHS Tayside 3 years ago
Stuart Keys
Clinical Care Group Manager, General Surgery, Urology, Vascular Surgery,
NHS Tayside

Submitted on 26/08/2020 at 11:29
Published on Care Opinion at 11:29

I am very sorry to hear about the situation you face. The Covid pandemic has created significant challenges, as you say but that doesn't alter the difficulties you are dealing with. It is also very unfortunate that your operation in Perth was cancelled. I apologise for our error.

Please could you contact me on stuartkeys@nhs.net and I will ensure we look into your case. At the very least, I would like to give you some clarity about what you can expect.

Kind regards,

Stuart Keys

Clinical Care Group Manager

Surgery and Orthopaedics

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Lady in waiting (the patient)

Thank you for the response.

I will be very glad to receive any feed back. As it is the sitting not knowing what is happening that is the most depressing part.

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