My husband has been in pain with kidney stones since December. He went to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, Gwent on Christmas Eve afternoon and despite being in severe pain was treated as though he was an imposition to the staff in A & E. We waited 3 hours and eventually walked out as we were fed up of being ignored or being spoken to as if we were just there to cause the staff extra unnecessary work.
He eventually got an appointment for lithotripsy at the beginning of March only to be told on the day of this treatment that he was unsuitable for it and would need keyhole surgery. He was in so much pain that day they admitted him to hospital only to be discharged the following day and readmitted again a day later and discharged the following day.
He had an appointment in early March for the operation only to be sent home after a few hours as there were no beds. He had a new date of later in March and what a surprise was again sent home as there were no beds. He was told that he was on the emergency list for the operation but we did not hear anything for a few weeks. He rang again in April and spoke to someone who did not appear to know he was on the emergency list. He had a new date for the operation the beginning of May but again after several hours wait he was sent home as there were no beds. Even the surgeon told him to complain.
I don't know how long he is expected to wait, in pain, until someone does something. I am at my wits end so have spent most of today complaining to everyone I can think of that may be able to help. The situation is not acceptable.
I have done some research and have found that In England it appears that if your operation is cancelled at the last minute and it is not carried out within 28 days of your first appointment you are entitled to have it done at a private hospital of your choice and the NHS pays the bill. I cannot find out if this is the case in Wales but I am still trying.I am disgusted that the NHS thinks it is acceptable to treat people like this. The staff on the Urology ward that we have dealt with are great and we realise it is not their fault but someone has to take responsibility for this. Our lives are on hold as he is in pain and no one will help us.
"Operation Cancelled 3 times"
About: Royal Gwent Hospital / General Surgery Royal Gwent Hospital General Surgery NP20 2UB
Posted by ABCDEFGHIJKLM (as ),
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Update posted by ABCDEFGHIJKLM (a relative) 5 years ago