A big thank you to all who have so kindly responded. When this all began, and we were floundering around without a diagnosis, and being sent from pillar to post (physiotherapy, X-ray, conductivity tests, and others) my husband and I decided maybe it would help to go privately. We quickly discovered that the private hospitals wanted a diagnosis before they would see me, and so we carried on down the NHS route. When I finally got a diagnosis I was offered treatment at the private hospital which has a renowned spinal unit, or at the spinal unit in the big general hospital in Southampton (not my local hospital but reasonably near.) I chose the private hospital at Salisbury, which is an hour’s journey from our home because I was told it would be quicker there, and because I knew it was a very good hospital. I went there as an NHS patient.
When I was finally recommended surgery I was told it would be 3/4 months wait, and so as it was a private hospital, I enquired if the surgery could be done there privately to speed things up. I was advised that it would still take 3/4 months if I went privately because I’d have start again with a new surgeon. My surgeon is an extremely well qualified spinal surgeon, having worked in many hospitals, and been involved in research and teaching, both here and in America. He only works for the NHS and does no private work. Since the waiting time would apparently be the same, whether I changed surgeon or not, I decided to stick with the surgeon I already had. Of course, I couldn’t foresee that four months wait would turn into eight months. I certainly wouldn’t want to change now either, because I’m sure that would lengthen the wait.
I’ve decided to ring the hospital regularly as advised by some posters, because I think that will give me the best chance to not be ‘forgotten’ and get the surgery I need at the earliest opportunity. I understand that there’s nothing the hospital could do about a lightening strike, and that all surgeries were cancelled last week, and this week on Monday morning, whether they were private or NHS. I do worry that private patients may get more access to the theatre than NHS patients, which if true, could push me further down the list, although as my surgeon only does NHS surgery, surely he will need additional access to the theatre too if he is to clear his backlog.
I’m really fed up, but would be less so if I had a date for my surgery. I feel in limbo without a date. It’s unsettling.
Thank you again for your kind responses. I appreciate them.
I’d call the medical secretary every week, to find out the latest, and also hope that by reminding them you’re still there, you’ll get seen soon. 