I've been waiting 6 months for a pretty significant operation deemed urgent, unfortunately I know that's to be expected given the NHS being in crisis so i've been patient and understanding.. but this subsequent mess about is sending me up the wall.
I got a call from a coordinator from the neurology department on Monday telling me I've finally got a date, 31st August. They wanted me to come in the following day for some pre op swabs and tests.
I make arrangements with a relative to travel down (300 miles) for the 31st - to look after my children as we don't have anybody else.
Whilst at the hospital the following day having an ECG I overhear a patient in the next cubicle who is there for the same pre op tests ahead of the same surgery. She gets a telephone call informing her that her appointment on 7th September has now been brought forward to 31st August (the same day as me). She was very happy and I for her as we're living with ticking time bombs essentially.
As I'm leaving the hospital I receive a text, from the hospital, telling me that my op on 31st August has been cancelled and moved to 7th September. They've switched our appointments.
I have been clear that I cannot do any date between 4th - 8th September as I have another equally as important health related commitment. I was assured that would be taken into consideration when giving me my date.
I'm getting upset by this point as everything was already arranged and as I was still on the hospital grounds I head over to the neurology department to query the change. I manage to speak to the coordinator in person who said he had to move my appointment as my surgery was a longer one. Fair enough.. but they knew I couldn't do the week of 4-8th September.
I'm then offered 16th September. I accept but ask for it in writing. The coordinator goes and has a chat with my surgeon who quickly types up a letter saying he's "provisionally" booked me in for the 16th.
As i'm leaving the hospital i get a telephone call from the same coordinator. He apologises and says there's been a mistake and my surgery is on the 15th September, not the 16th.
I make a note of that.
I had the second part of my pre op assessment today (over the phone this time) and the very nice lady on the other end said that my surgery is actually down for the 14th not the 15th, or 16th..
.
She has sent an email to the coordinator, the one responsible for booking the appointments who has buggered it all up continually, and now I have to wait for him to get in touch with me again to confirm the date. She also tells me the coordinator should have emailed me some things directly that would need to be completed ASAP otherwise no surgery at all. He hasn't.
All of this has a knock on effect for my relative who had already made arrangements on her side enabling her to come to me on 31st Aug by switching days with a colleague. My eldest is significantly disabled so I can't just have any old childminder. She doesn't think she will be able to do any of the other three dates that have been thrown out there now.
I know operations are subject to change sometimes but I'm being majorly messed around now. It isn't even due to priority of need it's because of mistakes on their end.
AIBU to think this type of runaround is unacceptable? My blood pressure is through the roof.. which is what I'm told to avoid at all costs 😑