Advice re referral process for Heart Bypass

[Gog40]

Hi, I have just finished all my tests and waiting for the final report, written, from my consultant. All I know is straight after my anagram he told me I needed a heart bypass as LHS all arteries blocked and three stents needed on RHS. Can anyone tell me what the process is likely to be from now? This letter will go to my GP and myself. Is it then up to my GP to refer me? Am I part of this process? All my tests were in Harrogate and I will want to be referred to the LGI in Leeds. Also any helpful hints for this process up to the operation would be most welcome. To date things have taken nine weeks & I have been told almost nothing. Thank you.

[stevejb1810]

In theory at least, you are ‘in the system’. Your cardiologist should now refer you to the ‘linked’ surgical unit and you should then be called for surgery. I would be surprised if it was bounced back to your GP. In terms of timescale, its usually the case that the more urgent you are the faster you’ll get that call.

In practice, I’d try and find out your cardiologists secretary’s number and in a couple of weeks, give them a call. It pays to keep on top of this side as things can get missed.

[Gog40 in reply to stevejb1810]

Thank you so much. That is very helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Gog40]

While you are waiting for your op get as fit as you possibly can as your recovery will be much easier.Good luck x

[Gog40 in reply to Hidden]

I will, thank you

[MountainGoat52]

It seems the process you are going through is different to my experience. At no stage was I referred back to my GP. The referral came from the doctor at Kettering Hospital that inserted the stents when I had a blood clot resulting in a heart attack. He recognised that I was reasonably fit and led a healthy lifestyle and would benefit from a bypass operation, so he referred me directly to a colleague at Papworth. My first appointment at Papworth was less than 2 months after my heart attack and the bypass operation took place a further 9 months. I can certainly say that the NHS worked extremely well for me... and that applied to the aftercare as well.

I certainly benefitted from the direct referral. In your case I would definitely be pro-active and make sure that your GP does everything he / she can to assist with this matter. I would hope that your cardiologist has referred you to Leeds directly and your GP should be able to check this out and advise you.

The other thing I would say is that it helps to keep positive and keeping fit is certainly part of that process. I hope that things move forwards quickly for you and that you get the surgery you need.

[Gog40 in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Gog40]

Oh, I forgot to say that I could have had my bypass earlier than 9 months from meeting the surgeon, but was asked to defer to urgent cases, otherwise it would have been 6 months. I hope the waiting list at Leeds isn't any longer. All the best.

[Ianc2]

Your Cardio's secretary will also be able to tell you what the current waiting list will be. If you are thinking about changing to another hospital you will need do the same checks there as well. There are lots of baby boomers entering the system and affecting the waitng lists are starting to stretch.