"Problems with the booking system, cleanliness,..."

In May 2016 I became aware of a small spot on my back which was not healing. I went to my GP who referred me to a Consultant at Salisbury Hospital. The Consultant saw me at the Plastic Surgery Outpatient Dept. on 25th June. They confirmed that I had a Basal Cell Carcinoma and that it would be removed under local anaesthetic. They said that there was a 6 week waiting list.

I expected to receive a letter within 2 or 3 weeks giving a date for the surgery sometime in August 2016. After several weeks with no letter I phoned the booking service and was told that waiting times were between 6 & 8 weeks and I should be contacted shortly. No letter came & further phone calls elicited the same response. After 9 weeks from the consultation I was again told about the 6 to 8 week wait, but pointed out that this time had now expired and I still had no news. I was then told that I had the choice of either 19th or 22nd September. I chose 19th. Sept.at 09.30. I arrived early and found Plastic Outpatients Reception where my details were checked and I was told to go to a waiting room. On the way I passed an automatic reception m/c which was "not in use". At the waiting room there was another receptionist who checked my details again.

I was called for my operation on time, and was dealt with courteously by the medical staff. During the operation the Surgeon had a problem with one piece of equipment when trying to stitch up the wound. This item had a blue tag fixed onto it when it was placed on the tray of used instruments. Everything appeared to have gone well. I was told that a water proof dressing had been put over the wound. I should arrange with my GP surgery to have this removed on 3rd October and the scar checked.

On Friday evening 23 Sept. I became aware that the wound was discharging. On Saturday morning I phoned the number listed on the paperwork (ext.4312 Laverstock

Ward) to get assistance. The person I spoke to seemed unaware that they were listed as a contact.

After discussing this with a colleague they advised me to go to the Drop In clinic in the centre of Salisbury. The drop in doctor inspected the wound, applied a new dressing, and prescribed anti-biotics. They also advised to go back there on Sunday morning to have the dressing replaced, and to arrange for Nurses at my GP surgery to change the dressing daily. As I write the wound is improving, but still not healed.