Are laparoscopies no longer available on the NHS?

[OneBluntZebra]

I have had endometriosis for 30 years that I know of. About 25 years ago I had a laparoscopy which was supposed to treat it. Having opened me up, they found the machine didn't work so they did nothing. 25 years later I am suffering a lot and my GP suggested that laparoscopies are not available on the NHS. I might have misunderstood but is that true?

I haven't had one since 2019, which was on the NHS, so unless things have changed significantly since then I doubt they would have stopped providing them.

Unfortunately you're likely to be in for a very long wait.

Ask to be referred to gynae - no offence to GPs but they're notoriously useless when it comes to endo.

Sorry, me again! Just re-read your OP - they opened you up and decided not to proceed due to faulty equipment, but didn't reorganise another surgery?

I'd be moving Trusts altogether if possible, they sound appalling.

They are.

GPs tend to gatekeep and are notoriously reluctant to refer for this.

They are definitely still available, albeit with years long waiting lists.

They are absolutely available, I was under gynae for infertility and requested an exploratory one as I thought I might have silent endometriosis. Between requesting and having the op was three months. (I was right!)

My sil was recently referred for one and was told it was a 4 year wait list, she's gone private.

They are definitely available. GPs can be woefully under informed and/or trying to gatekeep

I have had two laparoscopies on the NHS. And I'm about to go back on list for a third

On gatekeeping, my GP once told me that the NHS wouldn't repair my hernia because it didn't meet their criteria. I went to a private consultant who looked at the hernia and said why aren't you going through the NHS? I explained what the >
GP said, and the consultant said - and I quote - 'your GP is an idiot' .

My private gynae once was so pissed off with my GP he actually wrote a letter to the GP telling him that his care was sub standard.

My GP was not happy.

I saw another one at the practice for a bit.

(Gynae was completely right).

ImDuranDuran It was in a different city and done privately at the time. What upset me was how unapologetic they were.

Sammilouwho Oh my god! That is just so terrible. Maybe I should move to France (not that I have that option).

Laparoscopies are still available on the NHS.

Octavia 64 - the gynae I saw at the private hospital wrote a similar letter to my GP.

Ehh?? No idea where that came from.
We do them day in day out. Waiting lists are crazy tho,likely years for benign conditions unfortunately

It looks like I will need to go private if I have one at all. Sigh. That's £4k at least it seems.

@OneBluntZebra

Go and see a different GP.

Or, what I did - go and see a consultant surgeon gynae who works for NHS in your area. Most of them have private practice. Explain your predicament. Often in their private roles, consultants are able to ensure you get on waiting lists / are referred into NHS for operations you need.

I know the NHS has many problems and waiting lists are epic but there is no reason you cannot get treatment (albeit with a wait).

I am so shocked by this thread. I had one back in 2021. At the time I had a scan in April, pre Assement in May and operated on in June considering it was still post pandemic this was incredibly quick!

Fast forward I was hoping to never need one again. However pain has increased and unfortunately we have still not conceived. I am going in for another one in October but prior to that they had kept me on the waiting list from 2022 just in case I needed one again (mind you I was not suffering any pain at the time) they called me up recently and said they had space (2-days before the op) and if I could come in. I had genuinely forgotten about even being on the WL so I refused because it was not a convenient time and it felt like they literally just sprung it on me. What’s interesting though is I do feel like I need to be seen to because the pain is getting worst again so they called me up and I agreed to have one for October. It’s at Kings which I’ve heard have a specialised unit for endo. Having read this post I feel very blessed and fortunate. Where are you based?