"Excellent staff. Poor admissions, management."

I must start this by saying I had my surgery yesterday. It was a short and simple procedure that went really well. Every member of staff that I met were just wonderful, caring, kind and reassuring every step of the way and I cannot thank them enough for their dedication to the NHS and that frankly they do themselves proud. I saw nothing but smiles on their faces, this despite the pressure that they are under which brings me to the downside of my review.....

Having waited since February for my surgery I was admitted in September at 12.30pm. I fully expected a wait but I was not informed that I should prepare to stay overnight. At 6pm and with a nervous special needs child at home I was told that I could still go ahead but that I’d need to stay in. This wasn’t an option and I had to go home. I called admissions the following day and explained the circumstances, I truly don’t mind waiting but staying in over night just isn’t an option unless absolutely necessary and would require careful planning. I was assured that if I waited until 08/11 that they would put me first on the list for afternoon surgery. Arrived yesterday, taken straight to a bed, I was 3rd on the list and if the first two surgeries went well then I’d be going in at 5pm. Then told that either myself or the 2nd on the list would need to be cancelled. Sadly for the other lady my surgery was a much shorter procedure so having waited all that time the other lady was cancelled. The staff worked overtime to get me in and sorted out for which I am so very grateful.

So my question to whomever arranges these surgeries is have you seen the teams work and how long all of the different components take? Transport to theatre?

Anaesthetic? Minor complications? Recovery beds? My previous assumption would have been that of course this was all considered when scheduling lists but my actual experience of the system is that it simply doesn’t work. People are waiting having not eaten or drank since early in the morning to be cancelled or have to go home as late as 6pm! I don’t know what the answer is but there has to be a better way of doing things.

Short stay surgical unit, your staff are fantastic, especially the extremely kind nurse in recovery who took such great care of me, listening to how I was feeling and keeping me warm and comfortable!! None of you should have to work overtime to try to hit targets. I for one will be signing any petitions for less admin/managers and more on the ground staff and I would urge any patients experiencing similar situations to do the same.

In short, thrilled my surgery is done - it will change my life. Thank you so much for staying late to do that for me.