Hi
I first saw a plastic surgeon October of last year and was finally put on his waiting list in March. He said I would have the operation within 18 weeks. This didn’t happen and with no explanation today I received a letter asking me to go to see another consultant next week. I had a few tears, my immediate thought was I’m back to square one a year down the road from requesting reconstruction.Have any of you been transferred to another consultant? Is this an NHS fiddle to make the waiting list look good? I can’t stand the thought of waiting much longer.
Chamomile
chamomile,
i know how you feel as this happened to me. i was seeing an amazing surgeon for 2 years while i was making decisions etc then 3 weeks b4 op i got a call from her secretary saying her waiting list was massive and i would have to be delayed. if i wanted to have her do it i would be removed from the list but they would call me in coming months with date. they were very upfront and said they had to remove me from list due to targets etc.i opted for the other surgeon ( which i deeply regret) and had op 3 weeks later. i have since found out when they get new consultants the new consultant takes some patients from other surgeons so they build up a list and it rotates. i really wish i knew then what i know now. when speaking to them ask if this surgeon is new etc and why you have been given a diff one however when i asked this iwas told he was better experienced in my type of surgery again i have found this untrue.
good luck
love lainey x
Chamomile
Yes, that’s exactly what it is and it is unethical and immoral but I don’t know what can be done about it except perhaps via Pals to complain or to The Patients’ Association. Really if it is down to government targets you should contact your MP. Tracy1961 has had her op cancelled twice and is going to her MP if they do it again.
I agree with Dahlia, that is unethical and very unfair. Like Dahlia said, I had my surgery cancelled twice and was prepared to go to my MP if it happened a third time.
I eventually had my surgery last week and as it turns out, got a different PS to the one I was supposed to have. Fortunately, the PS I got is an expert is the field of breast reconstruction and has a 98% success rate and I am delighted with the results.
I would take some advice from PALS initially, and if you get no satisfaction from them go to your local MP.
Good luck and I hope it all turns out how YOU want it.
Tracy xxx
Thanks Ladies,
I contacted waiting list secretary to ask why was I seeing another consultant as she had confirmed I was still on the list.She tried to fob me off and told me to contact out-patients. I was very persistent and then she gave me what I wanted to hear an operation date. Contacted out-patients to be told that I was being asked to see another consultant as he is available to operate. He has been there 6 months and we had a good chat about how many dieps he has done.He talked in percentages compared to the very senior consultant I was due to see, so it a good job I know my maths. His has done two in the last few weeks that went well.He made it quite clear that I did not have to have surgery with him but staying on other list could mean a long wait. I have decided therefore to allow him to carry out the surgery. He came across as sincere and competent. Wish me Luck for July 29th.