"Cataract removal on the NHS at CircleBath - 11..."

My optician told me that they could do no more for my right eye and that cataract surgery was needed. It took a mere 41 days from that diagnosis to having the cataract removed. The longest wait was to see my GP.

The e-referral system offered me the CircleBath which I happily accepted (my wife had had some private treatment there previously).

The first visit, for Consultant opinion, was faultless, - eye examination, verdict, explanation of surgery, risks and what level I wanted my vision on that eye restored to, post surgery. Even the slightly "out of town" location of the hospital was no great problem for me using public transport (my wife had a broken arm and couldn't drive me).

Train to Bath - reasonable bus service to Peasedown

I received a 'phone call from the hospital after 6 days offering me a "cancellation slot" in exactly 7 days time which I accepted. On the day of the surgery everything again worked faultlessly. When a slight queue (4 people) built up at reception, 2 more staff appeared to clear the back log. The nurse who dealt with the pre-surgery requirements was excellent and I was collected from the pre-surgery area by the surgeon himself. The surgery itself was painless (literally) carried out by a very professional team. After surgery I was taken to same area I had been in beforehand, where I was given a (beautifully presented) cup of tea and a biscuit. After a while I was given a prescription for post surgery medication and allowed to leave. My wife and her brother-in-law (who had driven me in) had waited in the hospital cafeteria to take me home - their parking, of course, was free - as were the daily newspapers. Total time in the hospital was just over two and a half hours.

The whole thing, from beginning to end, worked wonderfully well - if this is what "privatising the NHS" means, lets have more of it !!!.

It is now two weeks since my surgery - the vision in that eye is now absolutely amazing !!

Well done everyone .........!!!!!