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Wait for Cataract surgery

Posted By Annedee8

"Wait for Cataract surgery"

About: University Hospital Ayr / Ophthalmology

(as a service user),

My brother is now blind in both eyes awaiting cataract surgery (bilateral) agreed with his eye surgeon, but delayed due to covid. Eye ops are restarted with general anaesthetic which he is approved for, but now 14 months later he is still waiting for his surgery. In the meantime, he has lost sight in both eyes, becoming a danger to himself but unable to care for his disabled family member who depends on him. He can’t drive, walk without stumbling. He feels frustrated and upset by the long wait.  

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Responses

Response from Karen Andrews, General Manager, Surgical Services, Surgical Services, Ayr Hospital, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 3 years ago
Karen Andrews
General Manager, Surgical Services, Surgical Services, Ayr Hospital,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Submitted on 18/09/2020 at 16:37
Published on Care Opinion at 16:37

I would be grateful if your brother could get in touch with us directly to allow us to look into this for him. I am sorry for the long waits experienced by patients. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic all surgery was paused. We have restarted and aiming to provide dates for surgery just as soon as we can. We are happy to look into the individual circumstances of your brother if he gets in touch by email or telephone.

kind regards

Karen Andrews, General Manager Surgical Services

karen.andrews@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

Tel: 01292 617123

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Update posted by Annedee8 (a service user)

Thank you for your quick response.

My brother will be in touch by telephone first thing on Monday morning. I’m so glad you appreciate the dire situation he is in and feeling helpless to resolve.

Update posted by Annedee8 (a service user)

I was advised that if my brother contacted directly, that his situation would be investigated. This he did last week. The outcome of which is most unsatisfactory and disappointing to say the least, he was very politely, in my opinion, effectively given "the brush off". There seemed to be little interest in his story, history or repercussions on his life by cataract blindness, nor his responsibilities as a carer.

Response from Karen Andrews, General Manager, Surgical Services, Surgical Services, Ayr Hospital, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 3 years ago
Karen Andrews
General Manager, Surgical Services, Surgical Services, Ayr Hospital,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Submitted on 05/10/2020 at 10:35
Published on Care Opinion at 10:35

I am extremely sorry that the telephone call was not satisfactory. I will ensure that your brother receives further contact from the service but would like to re-assure you that the service are sympathetic to individual history. The service is still working to a reduced level whilst we manage the COVID-19 impact on all of the NHS services. We are aiming to offer patients a date for procedure just as soon as we possibly can. We appreciate the frustrations and recognise that patients have waited longer for planned procedures.

Kind regards

Karen Andrews, General Manager, Surgical Services

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