Do I reject this NHS '2nd opinion' offer ?

[medianewbie]

Long story short (ish!)

I have longstanding mobility problems. After previous Ortho surgeries I was offered further surgery on both ankles/feet in 2019 (Brostrom procedure involves cast & double crutches for a while, 1 foot after another so about 6m like that).
I was unwell at the time. Signed off sick by GP for 6m as tried to get to bottom of why I was passing out almost daily. I ended up having quite a few iron infusions. So I asked to put back my surgery (with GP support) until I was well enough.

Then Covid. Then 2 yr waiting list. Then asked GP to re-refer as I wasn't getting anywhere with Ortho Dept. That itself took a year. Finally, in Feb, I got to see same Consultant who was going to do original Brostrum operations on both my ankles/feet. He looked briefly at my feet & said: 'can't do anything'. I protested & he reluctantly agreed to an Xray. I had a 2nd appt & he said: 'cant do anything on basis of your new Xray & scans (from 2019...). Didn't show me either. I was out again in 8mins flat. I said I felt I wasn't receiving good treatment. He said 'you can have a 2nd opinion if you like. I'll choose a collague who will see you'.

I am in Scotland. No Pals where I am so I wrote to 'patient liason' to list my concerns (chiefly why wasn't I shown my scans & explained to WHY 'nothing can be done' now when my feet are the same as in 2019 & surgery offered then (by same guy!). They wrote offering 2nd opinion in house as per. I said 2nd opinion diff area please, esp as my referrals (physio, pain clinic) had not been done by Consultant either. Just got an appt for next Thurs for local 2nd opinion.
I emailed patient liaison who said: 'go to appt, if still unhappy make appt with GP who will write to Consultant to ask for 2nd opinion neighbouring area'. This has already been done, 6 wks ago. I am not keen to keep going around this.

My instinct is to say No & if refused the 2nd opinion outwith area to go to Ombudsman. Do you think this is reasonable? I just dont have the energy to keep going around this as I have 2 kids to look after on my own (1 unwell) too.

I would go to the 2nd appointment and be as pleasant as I could in case first consultant had been gossipy to put it mildly. Make sure you have your questions written down. You never know, this appointment might either answer your questions and agree to surgery, or answer your questions and explain why you are no longer suitable, there is sometimes a window of opportunity for these things unfortunately. Going to the Ombudsman will be longwinded, won’t get your questions answered and might be ultimately unproductive, and you have been told that you can ask for a third opinion if you need to.

Also can you take a friend with you for moral support and note taking?

I also would go to the appointment offered.

Have you had any support from PASS?

https://pass-scotland.org.uk/about/

@viques its a very small rural hospital. 2 main Ortho Consultants. The one I've complained about has recommended the other for a "2nd opinion." I've been told 'if still unhappy' I can ask that GP ask same original Consultant that has refused an opinion outwith the hospital (GP has already asked). So, I think there is zero chance of a 3rd opinion.

@Firtreeandpinecones I'll call them for advice in the morning, thank you.

I agree that the Ombudsman is a last resort but even GP says 'it's very odd & noylt at all an example of good practice (but nothing I can do)'. Patient experience team ignored complaint & follow up email then sent 3 in 10 mins (all contradictory) then have themselves said they cannot understand why Consultant hasn't actioned pain & physio referrals for 5m.

There is no goodwill to lose, just more time & energy. Which I can't afford.

Interestingly I have had an email from the head of the 'Patient Liaison Team'.

Firstly it says I refused referrals to Pain Clinic & Physio. This is an outright lie.

Secondly, that original Consultant is aware I've accepted his recommendation for 2nd in house opinion so no need to refer outside area. I have not.

So I think I must refuse it ?
Or go with a tape recorder ?

The time & energy wasted now is considerable on both sides. I simply wanted a trustworthy explanation of why my scans showed that surgery previously offered was now pointless.

A trustworthy opinion is clearly not available to me from this source.