Can anyone with an understanding of nhs waiting lists answer me a question please?

[CovidCorvid]

I had surgery a few weeks ago after waiting nearly 3 years. The operation hasn’t worked, I totally know it hasn’t.

The consultant said he wasn’t 100% sure what was causing my issue, it was one of two things. I thought I needed operation A, he thought I needed operation B. Obviously I trusted him and had Operation B.

So I’m back to see him in two weeks and will say that it hasn’t worked.

Will I have to go back to the bottom of a very long waiting list to get operation A or will I get done earlier as I’m in the system with failed surgery?

Should this be in primary education topic? Xx

I don’t think you will go back to the very bottom. As you say, you are already in the system and actively being seen/treated.

I hope you get to have operation A soon and it’s a success.

@WoWsers16

Should this be in primary education topic? Xx

Oh no, thought I’d put it in chat. 😩😃

@SunbathingDragon

I don’t think you will go back to the very bottom. As you say, you are already in the system and actively being seen/treated.

I hope you get to have operation A soon and it’s a success.

Thank you. Hope so. Because if I have to wait another 2-3 years I really don’t know how I’ll cope. Just feel like I’m wasting my life waiting to be well again.

It depends on several factors.
Waiting lists have several key times that are monitored and reported.
Assuming not a cancer 2week pathway, then the first measure is called the RTT - referral to treatment time. The waiting time starts when your hospital receives the referral.
You can have scans, procedures, tests during the waiting period.
The waiting time ends when you decide not to have treatment, the consultant decides you don’t need treatment or the treatment begins.

It does allow for a period of monitoring to determine if further treatment is necessary. So, in theory, the second treatment option could/should be part of the treatment.
There is a however though that relates to the numbers of patients being seen in the 18 week standard. If the performance is not good, or they are into post Covid19 recovery, they need as many as possible to have their pathways completed. That might mean they decide to close of your treatment after one pathway is complete andcrestart the clock rather than continuing.

Thanks @LemonRoses, guess I’ll have to wait and see what the consultant says. I’m worried he’ll try and fob me off and discharge me in a couple of weeks. Tell me to give it a few months to see how it goes. But I can still feel my tendon is out of place, it’s not going to go back on it’s own after 3 years!

I’d perhaps mention that you expect this to be managed as part of the same pathway. That will be difficult if one option was orthopaedic surgery and other was, say, a neurology appointment, but assuming same specialty, then perhaps ask when the second treatment can be offered to allow for closure of your pathway.

If he/she tries to suggest you see how it goes, say you are worried that will take you into breach of RTT and would prefer to be treated.

www.england.nhs.uk/rtt/

Brilliant, thanks.

I’m already way over RTT, was referred by GP in Dec 2018. Had months and months of being pushed around and various tests. Operation was meant to be done March 2020 and obviously got postponed.

There are all sorts of initiatives/games some trusts use to avoid breaches because it impacts on their funding. There is more breaching of non urgent surgery because of Covid19 at moment, but they should have a recovery plan in place.
I think waiting to see what is suggested isn’t necessarily the best course. A little pushing back can be to your benefit.