Waiting Lists

[Mrspat]

Not specifically AF related, but has anyone had experience of finding out how long the waiting list for a non-urgent operation might be? I have been waiting for an operation on my year duct since April. The problem isn't bothering me at the moment and I am symptom free. However, I have a busy few months coming up and would to be able to plan. They did write to me about stopping anti coagulation before the operation but that was a couple of months ago and I have heard nothing since.

[10gingercats]

Waiting lists vary considerably from area to area and according to the type of surgery needed.I would be ringing and asking if they have a cancelation list and get yourself onto it.This gets you seen and the space left by the cancellation is filled.

[seasider18 in reply to 10gingercats]

Go to the hospital web site they usually have a list of waiting times for different procedures.Other option is 'patient choice' if other hospitals in the area have lesser waiting times.

When told that it was six months for my second cataract operation I asked about cancellations and had it three months sooner.

[10gingercats in reply to seasider18]

Thanks seasider.....I was replying to Mrspat but it was useful to know about the hospital online waiting times .I have found so far that 'going the manual way' is often best ....i.e tele. fo a cancellation....and yes my husband will prob. go to another area soon because of 'problems' likely locally.

[Mrspat]

I'm not in any particular rush and a cancellation appointment at short notice would probably be inconvenient. The hospital website does have information about average waiting times from GP referral to treatment but this has already been exceeded. It would just be useful to know whether there are 9 or 99 people ahead of me so that I can plan accordingly.

[CaroleF in reply to Mrspat]

If a short-notice cancellation is likely to be inconvenient for you then perhaps you could try phoning the consultant's secretary to ask how many people are ahead of you.

[I must say I was delighted when I got a short-notice cancellation for a non-AF related procedure which meant I only waited for 2 weeks from referral, rather than the 30+ weeks I had been quoted originally.]

[Brizzy50000]

Hi Mrspat just read your post, I have just been informed that I go for my pre-op appointment at the end of April 2018 for Ablation in Bristol, I was told the EP put me on his list in March 2017 so that has taken over a year, but I'm now happy things are starting.

[Mrspat in reply to Brizzy50000]

I eventually had my operation last November after waiting 7 months. It seems to have been successful. There wer no issues with AF and I came home the same day.

[Brizzy50000 in reply to Mrspat]

Well done i'm glad things have turned out OK for you

[Hidden]

Not AF related but I was diagnosed with a mild cataract at the beginning of Nov 2017 I'm still waiting for surgery, although I have just had my pre op assessment on 16 March 2018. I'm in UK and will be an NHS patient in a NHS hospital. AND I'm on the cancellation list too.

By contrast in July 2015 I was diagnosed for a partial knee replacement and on 6 Nov 2015 had surgery as an NHS patient in a private hospital.