Day patient operations - Scotland

[Mrsjrewing3]

My 5 year old son has been suffering from hearing loss for a considerable length of time (most likely due to glue ear). The hearing aid he was fitted with had made little difference and so before lockdown he was scheduled to have grommets fitted. The operation was of course cancelled due to Covid. Today I received a phone call from the ENT department at my local hospital to say that the operation can now go ahead on 4 September.

HOWEVER, for the operation to happen our entire household has to go into complete lockdown for 2 weeks before the operation and 1 week after. My son who starts back school tomorrow will now miss 3 weeks of education. I am a secondary school teacher (started back yesterday) and will also need to miss work for 3 weeks. Fortunately my husband works from home. Does anyone know if these precautions are the norm now that non-emergency surgery (my son will be an outpatient) is resuming? I am shocked that we have to go into lockdown for THREE weeks!

Contact your ENT team,get the latest update.
I hope the op goes well.for your son

My dd has glue ear,And the operation immediately resolved the issue with the grommets .

It was really strange for her afterwards because everything was so loud. Walking down the street she was startled, feet sounds walking on pavement , cars passing she was clutching her ears at the noise

Thank you so much for replying @SentientAndCognisant I’m glad the grommets made such a difference to your dd’s hearing. A blow that we might have to go back into lockdown so the operation can go ahead but if the op is a success it will have been worth it x

Is there an option for you and your other son to stay elsewhere for 3 weeks and do distanced visits? Or for your other son to stay with a friend? You don't say how old he is. I don't know that I could leave a 5 year old for so long without hugs, so totally understand if that won't work, just a suggestion.

Hi @MRex I think my post may have caused some confusion - sorry! I only have one son - the 5 year old who needs the operation. So the people needing to go back into lockdown are ds, dh and me if the operation is to go ahead. The more I think about it I cannot believe the information we have been given is correct. I will try to speak to someone else in ENT tomorrow x

Yes, that appears to be the normal protocol for everything elective. We have the same for something.

Yes, it is normal for people to be asked to fully isolated prior to hospital admission. Sorry, know it’s a pain in the backside but better than no treatment at all. I’m pleased your son is actually able to access this op. Best of luck.

Yes this is normal procedure. Covid swab carried out at pre-op and then isolate for adults not sure if that's the same for children.

I also have a DC on the waiting list for Grommets (but with tonsils and adenoids out too), hope your little ones hearing improved after, I've heard good things.

I know someone who had an op the other week and their household had to isolate for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after!

I'm worried if this is the case if we will get paid from work as neither myself or DH can WFH.

Yes, a family member and a friend both had surgery recently. One non-essential, one cancer related. Both had to, with anyone they lived with, isolate for 2 weeks before. Unsure about afterwards.

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I phoned ENT again and they confirmed the 2 week before / 1 week after shielding rule is for all operations involving children and applies to the entire household. I now feel up against things time wise - we need to go into isolation from next Friday. I feel as if I will be putting so much additional pressure on my colleagues but they have been understanding. Feel incredibly guilty about ‘abandoning’ my pupils too after only one week of school but obviously my son’s health has to come first. I have no idea whether I will be receiving any pay during my absence either! The time off hasn’t even been granted yet as HR need proof about the quarantine rules - hopefully confirmation from the hospital will arrive in the post today. I asked for email confirmation but no joy there.

Hope it goes well. If you have to take unpaid leave, be useful to know - as you will not be setting or marking work for those weeks at least.

A family member is due an op and he needs to isolate for 2 weeks but other people who live in the house don't! Seemed a bit odd to me but that's what the letter said! No mention of afterwards either