Waiting lists

[Abigail]

Can someone help me? When you are placed on the waiting list for surgery what happens? What happens if you go over the time frame you are given? Do you just keep on waiting? I understand others may be in more need than us I'm just not sure what happens go particular after the time frame has been and gone. Thanks.

[AnyDream]

You can either contact the dr/clinic you went to who placed you on the list, or ask your gp to try to follow it up on your behalf. Sometimes there will be a nurse for the surgeon/clinical area who can be a good person to speak to as a follow up. Obviously if you have developed new symptoms or any new developments that might mean your need is greater than when you first went on the list, you should bring that up too. But usually it's just a case of waiting.

[k4t]

I assume you're talking about elective surgery in a public hospital? As for what happens to you personally when you've gone past the recommended waiting time - nothing in particular, you still just have to wait on the list. (I think the hospital gets penalized when a certain percentage of people wait too long, not just one or two.

You should definitely contact the hospital to check though. There's usually an elective bookings office or clinical liason nurse who handles these type of enquiries. Occasionally paperwork gets lost or mistakes happen so it's really worth checking. Also you may have some chance of getting in earlier if you tell them you're available at short notice.

If you feel like there's a good medical reason your operation should be done sooner eg. worsening pain or other symptoms then ask your GP to contact the hospital doctors on your behalf and see if they can prioritise you.

[Abigail]

Thank you both, ill call tomorrow and see what admin say. Otherwise we'll just keep on doing what we are.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

As the ladies have said it's basically a waiting game and then you contact admin to see if there is an update.
When i waited for my wrist surgery i was on the list for 12mths, i was told to check after about 8mths and then again at 12mths - here they sent you a letter stating your on the waiting list and the expected times and a number to call if you had to cancel or change anything.

I never got the surgery as i fell PG but will be on that list again soon... hope you guys aren't waiting too long.