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Topic: Waiting for surgery: any advice on how to speed it up?  (Read 1060 times)

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Waiting for surgery: any advice on how to speed it up?
« on: March 18, 2016, 09:23:14 PM »
So I've had an intra abdominal cyst that's 15cm at its widest measurement for a long time now, and come June will be the anniversary of the first NHS imaging of it. I started seeing the doctor a year ago, and I've been waiting since then for surgery to remove it, which is going to be kinda invasive. So that's about a year from the initial GP visit. Still waiting, and funnily enough the BBC was reporting about two months ago on the horrible waiting times in Wales. The last I heard from the hospital was in January saying that my case had been bumped over from the General Surgeon in Cardiff University Hospital Wales to a "specialist" at the same hospital and I've not heard anything since.

Needless to say, the cyst is extremely uncomfortable, has a huge impact on my health (can't exercise) and every day life, and could damage my organs and is potentially life threatening, and it's been shown to be still growing.

How do I shake things up? I've heard that you can find an alternate place to receive treatment if things are going too slow and that there is a maximum waiting time from GP to surgery of like 26 weeks. It's been WAAAY over that. The problem is I'm not sure who to talk to at the hospital or what NHS department to issue a complaint in, or how to start requesting an alternate place where the waiting times aren't so atrocious. I'd like to actually get a job and start saving up for my second visa, but like I said, it's very uncomfortable (all the time) and many times very painful (often, and makes me feel extremely full when I eat anything), I feel like I have a baseball-filled water balloon slamming around inside.


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Re: Waiting for surgery: any advice on how to speed it up?
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2016, 08:58:27 AM »
Sorry to hear of your trouble sunspark :-( Have you tried contacting your local PALS service? http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Patient%20advice%20and%20liaison%20services%20(PALS)/LocationSearch/363

They seem to help out a lot in times like this. My soon to be sister in law was referred to them when she was being passed from pillar to post with her son and getting no help, appointments being cancelled constantly, nurses who are meant to show up at the house and then don't, or sending out nurses for issues he didn't even have and therefore wasted trips. She contacted PALS and they helped her out a lot getting the right care he needs. I hope they can do the same for you!


Re: Waiting for surgery: any advice on how to speed it up?
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2016, 11:03:35 AM »
Your GP may also be able to help. I know mine is very proactive in ensuring that patients have access to services they need.

I hope you get a good result whichever approach you take.


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