"I was referred to the relevant ..."

What I liked

I was referred to the relevant specialism very quickly once a decision had been made to carry out a minor operation.

What could be improved

I was seen by a senior registrar at the dental institute for the removal of a polyp on my tongue. Within 30 minutes of leaving the hospital the stitches fell out.

Anything else?

I telephoned the Institute from my car and was told to go to my local A&E. This A&E did not have maxillo facial specialists. I had to travel to Romford and wait 2 hours to have further local anaesthetic and stitches. At no time was I given painkillers and had only been told to take Ibruphen. The anaesthetic wore off at 12.30 a.m. and I awoke screaming with pain. I was taken back to A&E and given morphine.

This should have been a simple and quick proceedure, but instead I spent a great deal of time waiting in A&E departments, and experienced excruciating pain. The SR who carried out the original procedure should ensured that the stitches were adequate.

The whole exprience was regretable and may have cost the NHS thousands of pounds in extra expended resourcces and valuable medical time.