"I've been waiting since I ..."

What could be improved

I've been waiting since I was told in June 2009 that I need surgery to my L shoulder, I would like to know if you can enlighten me about the efficiency of the 18 wk pathway the RF website boasts about?

I was told by the Ortho Clinic in Sept09 my sugery will take place at the end of Feb10, well as it's now the 14th Feb10 & I've had no admission letter I assume this will not be happening, (despite me ringing several times to ask for information & was told, sorry I can't help you, wait for the letter.)

As you can understand I'm quite anxious as this is a serious operation & I work for the NHS & they're getting anxious about when my surgery will be as they need to provide cover for me whilst I'm off sick.

I am upset and unimpressed with the efficiency of the Royal Free hospital, & have had surgery there twice before & my experience was no different. The last time, I was called the day before asking me to come in to hospital & was then left sitting (thirsty & hungry) in a chair for 7 hrs waiting to go to theatre, then rushed to get dressed when the porter arrived & was still sitting in a chair in my everyday clothes. I had been starved since midnight & eventually went into theatre at 4pm, despite being told that I was 1st on the list?

At my last visit to the ortho clinic I waited 4 hrs for my appointment, scheduled for 10h20 & wasn't seen until 2pm, when I complained I was told by one of the nurses in clinic that he's busy & on call & I should be happy that I'm being seen at all! The cheek of it! How can you run a busy ortho clinic & be on call? Not his fault admittedly, but not mine either!! & I didn't appreciate the attitude of the nurse who then told him that I'd had the cheek to complain, whilst I was sitting right there.

Please can you clear this up for me. I keep hearing about patient choice, well where is it & how do I get it?

Thank you

Ms L Marriott