Surgery cancelled again. WIBU to turn up to the hospital regardless?

[Wndof]

I've been waiting over a year for life saving surgery. I was finally given a date for 31st August then they changed the date twice, switching my appointment with somebody else and then telling me they'd made a mistake with dates. Finally, 14th September (so tomorrow) was confirmed and I've undergone all of the pre operative tests and assessments, made arrangements for the children, XP secured the time off work.. only for them to text me just now and say the surgery has been cancelled due to a bed issue.

I called the admissions coordinator who has been absolutely terrible throughout and told him that I plan on turning up tomorrow morning and won't be leaving.

I read on here thats what somebody's father did in the same situation and he got his operation.

WIBU to give it a go?

Sorry if I seem dramatic, I just cannot endure this utter shit any longer 😭

surely you'd be better going to your MPs office and sitting on his desk?

I wonder if going to a newspaper would help?

They probably do care desperately about cancelling you though. But if the ICU beds are full, unless someone gets better much quicker than expected or unfortunately dies then there isn't a bed for you.

They can't risk doing your surgery without a bed as you will need that level of care to have the best outcome.

No one would cancel this type of op without having looked at all alternatives first.

Consider PALs to share your disappointment, but no one can create an additional ICU bed without millions of pounds of investment in additional facilities and nursing staff

I read on here thats what somebody's father did in the same situation and he got his operation.

That could have been me as something like that happened to my dad. Believe it or not my sister did it too when her hysterectomy was cancelled on the day. She refused to leave and had her op that day. They were the most easy-going compliant souls in the family but it's amazing the backbone you grow when you think you might die.

Good luck OP.

If you believe it. I don’t.

Believe it. Because it's true.

OP - I’m so sorry you’re going through this. If going private is a logistical option, I would beg and borrow the money you need to do it. I would lend or even just give as much money as I could afford to any friend of mine who was in this situation.

I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through @Wndof but if you need ITU level care after your surgery and there isn’t a bed available what exactly would you like them to do?

Years of underfunding means that all NHS hospital beds are operating at such a high percentage of occupancy that this is a common occurrence.

It either needs somebody to recover to a point that they no longer need that level of care, or to pass away. It would be wholly irresponsible for a surgeon to operate knowing that appropriate post op care isn’t available to you.

I really hope that you get your surgery soon but going to the hospital tomorrow is likely to be even more stressful and risky to you than staying at home.

Why post this? Would you appreciate ‘funny’ comments if you were in OP’s position? Completely devoid of empathy.

In response to @Brefugee ‘s comment

I'm really sorry OP, my heart goes out to you - I know what it's like to psychologically build yourself up to surgery only to have it cancelled last minute. It's devastating, let alone all the practical issues you've had to sort like the kids and things. Sorry.

Anyway - I was just thinking, if they texted you rather than called you, could you pretend you didn't receive it? Turn up with your overnight bag in the morning and when they tell you it's been cancelled get really upset and demand to speak to Consultant secretary, nurse specialist, go to the Pals office etc? It might expedite things? Good luck, I'm sorry again x

A family member waiting for surgery requiring an ICU bed has had their op cancelled 7 times.

It's not as urgent as yours though.

Sadly in the NHS those who make the most noise get seen first. If they think you'll keep turning up and being annoying there might be more energy devoted to sorting your op. Just remember to be polite because any aggression will be used against you.

This! ^ @Wndof no matter what that person said, nobody would have got the surgery they wanted if it had been cancelled, by turning up anyway and stamping their feet til they got their own way! That is nonsense. Someone is pulling your leg!

It's a shame you have been cancelled again, but turning up and insisting they do it will achieve nothing, other than them calling security and possibly bumping you down the waiting list even further.

Good luck, OP, really sorry that you’ve been treated like this, it’s completely dreadful. Yes do go tomorrow, it’s worth trying! And it will show them that you mean business. Even if they can’t do anything tomorrow you will be on their radar as someone who will complain if there’s a third cancellation, which would result in their being fined.

You shouldn't believe everything you read here. There's a lot of bull. No hospital admits someone because they turn up and refuse to leave. At best they'll leave you sitting there. At worst they'll have you removed.

Where on earth are you getting THIS information from? It's nonsense.

NHS workers aren't fools, and they will not be manipulated, and push someone forward in front of other people, because said gobshite shouted their mouth off and stamped their feet. How ridiculous to even suggest this!

That's crap OP. Sitting there won't change anything. Kicking up a stink probably won't either but it will make you feel better for having done something proactively.
Hope it goes ahead really soon.

I agree with contacting PALS. I also think that if the hospital cancels they have to schedule you in within a certain amount of time. Have they given you a plan for an emergency- if that did happen I assume you’d go to the top of the list? Is anyone able to tell you whether you could be seen quicker if you went to a different hospital (I don’t know which area you’re in).

I agree it’s shit but also agree that no one wants to cancel you, as others have said it’s the sorry result of decades of underfunding and a failure to address the social care system so that people can’t be “stepped down” quickly. One of my DC needed surgery and an intensive care bed afterwards- we were told very clearly that if there was no bed on the morning we’d be cancelled. My DC’s surgeon was as anxious as us about it!

It's lived experience @AlexaCanYouHearMe I'm not saying they'll operate that day but most people just want a pain in the arse to go away. I've had to make a noise to get my care sorted. I don't get why NHS workers are so defensive. My post wasn't a criticism of doctors - the same applies to a lot of sectors.

@CharlotteStreetW1 you don't typically require an ITU bed after a hysterectomy, though.

As several medical professionals have already explained on the thread, it will be the lack of an ITU bed which has caused this cancellation. No surgeon is going to operate on a 10mm+ brain aneurysm without the guarantee of an ITU bed being available.

I hope you get it sorted, two colleagues in a space of a few years died because of aneurysm (one undetected, one waiting for a surgery)- really upsetting they are messing you about like that.

You could write to your MP asking him / her to raise your case with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Going through your MP in this way will ensure you get a reply from the SoS or the appropriate minister. I would, however, give PALS the opportunity to respond first, then, if you are not satisfied, you can enclose a copy of their written response with your correspondence to your MP.

I would put everything in writing, either email with delivery / read receipt and / or by a recorded delivery / special delivery letter, then there is a clear evidence trail. Name people where possible, giving their full job title and date and time of conversation along with the key points / agreed actions / next steps. A cover paper with a chronological time line can be helpful.

How maddening. I really hope it works 🤞

I'm sure this has made the OP feel much better.....🙄