Has anybody recently had an ablation in England on the NHS and can tell me how long they had to wait for it? Mine will be at the NNUH. I have no idea whether it will be weeks or months or even over a year.
NHS waiting time for an ablation - Atrial Fibrillati...
NHS waiting time for an ablation
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Norfolk_spaniel
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BobDVolunteer
Bit of a post code lottery but very likely a year. Did they not tell you?
No, just had a letter stating that I was on the waiting list.
Perhaps contact the hospital and ask them as different trusts have different lengths of list? Your EPs secretary is the best place to start.
To be honest, finding out waiting times around the country won’t help you much. It’s best to contact the hospital and ask who you need to speak to to get a guide. After all, we all have lives to lead so it’s not unreasonable to ask. If you are prepared or able to be available at short notice then let them know as this might enable them to fit you in if there’s a cancellation. I’ve had 2 ablation at St George’s in London and they were happy to give approximate waiting times.
I waited 7 months for mine - 2020, right during the height of covid so I was pleased.
Each hospital will have different waiting times, I guess urgent ones are put to the top of the list.
I would suggest looking up a cardiologist at the hospital and usually there’s a number for their respective secretary. Leave a message and hopefully they will ring back or see if there’s a number for an arrhythmia nurse. Either of those should be able to give you a general idea of ablation waiting times.
Hope this helps
I've just had mine done in Leeds, I was put on the waiting list in January after my ep study.
I had my three ablations in Leeds. Cannot fault them.👍
I was placed on the St Bart’s, London waiting list in March this year and had my ablation in June.
Hi , I had my first ablation at the N&N in Dec 2019 .My yearly review was June 2021 due to Covid delays where I was advised a follow up RF ablation was required and put on the list .My appointment has come through for the 10th August so around 14 months waiting time in my case .
I do have mild PAF symptoms so not sure if that made me non urgent .
Hope that helps
Oh dear. I'm unable to tolerate any medication, tried them all, and often feeling rough. I was hoping for a date within 6 months.
It's quite possible you may be seen earlier. I didn't chase mine up as I don't have troublesome symptoms . I spoke to the arrhythmia nurse before agreeing to go on the list and we agreed I'd make the decision to have a further procedure when I got the top of the list .Maybe that meant a longer wait for me individually.
I can remember waiting for over 12 months for my original ablation pre covid and I had seen a private EP called Dr Raine at the Spire in Norwich . He suggested I should have an ablation and after nearly a year I went back to see him as my episodes had become more frequent and he put me at the top of his list as he said I'd waited long enough and I was seen two weeks later .
I'm grateful he pushed things along so the cost of two consultations was worth it on the long run.
If you haven't seen an EP privately , if you can it helps I believe .
Thanks. I'm under Dr Raine at rhe NNUH.
Hullo I wonder if you and all the others who had to wait so long for an ablation know the tips from nutritionists how when and what to eat to settle the heart down, including general life stye including rest and recreation - all so important for the body, heart in particular!
I have heard it's a year in Leicestershire but that cancellations can make it much quicker. They are speeding things along locally, in general, I know, although I read last week that we are the worst outside of Wales for delays.
Steve
No surprises there for Wales! Tgere arw very few hospitals here even offering the procedure. Geographically our larger hospitals are also spread out. Powys for exampke being one of the largets counties in the UK and I believe there's no in county 24 A and E at all!I feel lucky that we have QEH Birmingham as our visiting EP unit here in the Marches.
Yes, I'd read that Cardiff and Swansea are the only two with cardiac catheter suites, with Liverpool and Birmingham being the main centres for the north. I suppose it's a population thing, is it?
Steve
Not sure. Perhaps- demographic quite widely spread out. Powys one of the least populated counties in the UK too so I guess that's why no A and E. Grateful for being on the borders of Hereford and having access to QEH.
Having a low population has so many benefits, but hospital access isn't one. The housing going up in mid to north Leicestershire scares me. Our countryside and natural life must be under such strain.
Steve
Yup, something we just didn't consider when we moved here nearly 13 years ago. Younger and fitter then...
I waited 4 months for my first (which was 12 altogether following my request to see an EP during a phone consultation with the cardiologist), then 6 for my 2nd. The first was during the 2nd wave of the pandemic. Waiting lists were odd then because lots of people just didn't want to go near a hospital if they didn't have to. Once they'd opened up and you were ready to cone at short notice, you could get in quick. I strongly suspect waiting lists are longer now.
I think we maybe under the care of same cardiologist at BQEH as mine does consultations at Hereford. According to secretary (this week) followup's unless urgent are being booked into February 2023
Yes, that doesn't surprise me. After my ablation in 2021 the first check up was initially scheduled for 4 months later. They cancelled it and said the next available date was Jan 2022! Luckily QEH medical secretary managed to get me squeezed in at Heteford during one of the 6 weekly visits. It ended up being a phone consult and a total shambles. 2 hours late and they sent me a cardiologist. A had a tantrum and demanded to speak to an EP. Right at the end of the morning a 6 minute phone consult with Dr Lencioni and I was on the list for ablation 2. Which appears to have been more successful.
I waited around 7 months for my first ablation. And roughly the same for my second and third, and this was before covid.!!!!It would be better for you to get in touch with the hospital because they will be able to tell you where you are on the list.!
I made a few calls to the hospital in Leeds and they were really helpful.
Hope this helps.
Hi I waited 8 months at St Thomas's.
Pre Covid , University Hospital Coventry and Warwick wait was 12-18months.
I was half way through that when Covid hit. So fast forward another 18 months and was still waiting.
I asked GP if I should transfer to Glenfield in Leicester as previously their list was shorter than UHCW but was told I'd be viewed as a new patient and currently it is 2 years +.
Every area varies so much!
PS if you contact the list admin and are prepared to go in at short notice on cancellations,they will put you on that list too x
I’m in Scotland and the cardiologist mentioned six to nine months, unless cancellations make an earlier slot available. Though I got a waiting list letter which mentioned that it could be a year as I’m category 4.
I was put on the waiting list at the end of September 2021 and was offered an ablation at the end of June in Sheffield.
I live in the US. I didn't know wait times were so long in the UK. I was in the hospital from an afib episode when EP suggested ablation. I agreed and procedure was done 2 days later.
I’ve been waiting 17 mths for my 2nd ablation, contacted EP waiting list & told it will be at least another 2 mths. 😳 Also that it’s down as routine & not many general anaesthetic ones cropping up at mo. 😏 This is at the Lancashire cardiac centre, they’ve had 2 letters from local hospital as well asking if it can be pushed through as I’m v symptomatic.
3 months for me in late 2018. That's changed dramatically since then. I think it's a bit of a lottery depending where you live. For what it's worth my hospital was Bristol Heart Institute.
I’m in a similar position with Papworth, received letter but no time indication.
If you want it done quickly get transfered to St Barts . I’ve been told by the head of department they are looking for more patients and the list is very short .
I’ve waited 4 weeks for my 2nd ablation .
Thanks. Food for thought. However, I am 30 minutes from the station then 2 hours into London. Not sure about the travelling after an ablation.
Hi Norfolk
If no one can pick you up
There’s a hotel 100 yards away . I stay there for 1 night and then public transport the next day , they say is fine . Book 1st class on way home and get Taxi to station etc .
Hi,I am on a waiting list since March for an ablation at Papworth. I was told 3-6 months, not heard anything as yet.
I can't even get an appointment with an NHS cardiologist leg alone a date for an ablation
I don't want to make you envious but I was referred 23rd July, had telephone consultation with cardiologist 4th August and now have a date for 22 September. It was deemed to be urgent. Thats at NNUH in Norwich.
Good luck
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