Non urgent NHS operations delayed by covid.

[Red1973]

Hi - I was due to have knee replacement op in March which was cancelled due to covid.

I am resident in England and have left two messages in recent weeks on hospital contact number voicemail I was given on cancellation letter ( voicemail does say calls are monitored) as to whether they had an indication as to when operations will be resumed.( cancellation letter did say I would be near top of list when ops resumed and I need to plan for next few months as when op takes place I will be unable to do certain things for short period)

Not yet had response to my voicemail request so does anyone know if some hospitals in England have recommenced knee replacement ops.

Thanks for any responses.

[rugbylover]

I’ve been waiting for a knee replacement op since last June! I live in Wales. I was warned waiting times for the op was 12-18 months when I saw the consultant at the time. Goodness knows when I’ll have the op now!

[1961jh in reply to rugbylover]

Hi

Again phone and check where you are on the waiting list via the Consultants secretary, information is good.

[1961jh]

Hi

As a retired nurse my advice is to phone the Consultants secretary, the phone number is usually on one of your letters from consultation. She will be able to give you more accurate information. Where I live our local hospital has had nine medical wards removed (270 beds)and altered to Covid Free wards to address the backlog of operations that has occurred. The NHS is doing everything they can. You may have to self isolate pre operation and she will discuss that also.

If you still do not get information you can contact PALS -Patient Advocacy and Liaison service at your hospital. Every NHS Trust has this department, details online at your hospital to assist you obtain the information you are seeking. Good luck.

[bonniemillie12 in reply to 1961jh]

hi i contacted pals and she said she couldnt help me she was the wrong person to ask

[1961jh in reply to bonniemillie12]

Hi

Who did she say to contact as you will have already contacted the Consultant's secretary??

The secretary manages the Consultants diary and also lists patients for their operations. Effective use of theatre time is key. The waiting list Coordinator team sends out the letters to patients. The two work together.

I feel you have been fobbed off by PALS. Send in a letter to PALS but revisit contacting your Consultants secretary first.

[arthritis_action Partner]

Hi Red1973 , sorry to hear about your situation and hopefully the replacement operation will be booked in shortly.

We recommend continuing to reach out to the hospital, and also speaking to your GP or healthcare professional if your pain or other symptoms get worse during this time. They can then advise on next steps.

In the meantime, try looking through our website on how to self-manage your painful symptoms while waiting for the operation. We have pages on pain management and wellbeing that could help during this time.

arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...

arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...

Let us know how you get on!

[Mikmax]

Hi Red1973 I had a half knee replacement done in October last year and agreed to go on the cancellation list. After that I had a call on Monday afternoon asking me if I could go in on the following day (which I did). The surgery took me a long time to recover from although I was told very firmly about the importance of the exercise regimen post surgery - which I was very disciplined in doing. My advise would be to try to do as many exercises as possible to prepare for the surgery (whenever it comes) good luck

[bonniemillie12]

hi there i was at the hospital having my last checks for op next day when it came through all ops cancelled i was devastated been in pain a year i have been bed bound as my hip has packed in and the pain is unbearable

[1961jh]

Hi

Email the contact address on your letter. Covid free hospitals are or have been being set up.