This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

This should not have to happen

Posted By padderbear

"This should not have to happen"

About: Borders General Hospital / Trauma & orthopaedics (Ward 9)

(as the patient),

I have suffered from knee pain for the past 8 years. I have been told for years that I have a trapped nerve in my ankle which causes pain in my knee. I have been told that I have two options 1) give up my nursing career to reduce the pain or 2) continue to nurse on strong nerve blocker and alter dosages to work around my shift pattern. My consultant was not able to perform the surgery on the NHS so suggested I go private to have it performed.

In the meantime I contacted my local MP who wrote to NHS Borders who replied stating that I would need a 2nd opinion to confirm this diagnosis to get the surgery to fix this problem. Not once in the 8 years I have been dealing with this pain has anyone suggested a 2nd opinion within my health board. I have had to go private for this. I am hurt that my response from NHS borders suggested I had known this all along. As had I known that I would have requested a 2nd opinion years ago.

I am in my early 20s now and have to take a cocktail of nerve blockers just to get through the day. I am now getting the treatment I should have had years ago through a private surgeon who is charging the NHS for this. This should not have had to happen.  

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Karen Maitland, Clinical Service Manager - Primary Care, NHS Borders 5 years ago
Karen Maitland
Clinical Service Manager - Primary Care,
NHS Borders

Submitted on 12/06/2018 at 15:32
Published on Care Opinion at 16:29

Dear padderbear

I am very sorry to hear of the ongoing pain and suffering you have had with your knee over the last 8 years. I appreciate how debilitating this must be for you, particularly on your nursing career.

Without knowing the specifics of your treatment history, it is difficult for us to respond to your query in detail and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you over the telephone. Please call me on (01896) 825596 at your earliest opportunity.

As I work with the Feedback & Complaints Team at NHS Borders, I also believe I recognise your story from a complaint that we have recently received. Our Feedback & Complaints Officer has been trying to make contact with you in order to obtain further information and explain our complaints process. I will also be able to discuss this with you when you call.

I look forward to speaking with you with the aim that NHS Borders provides you with some resolution.

Regards,

Karen

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k