Gallstones surgery still waiting

[GulKaz]

I was diagnosed with gallstones three month ago but still haven’t got a letter from the consultant. How long do you wait in Scotland till the surgery? I am in a lot of pain and it’s a long wait ☹️

[Tia2021]

I don't think there is a timescale, sadly it is the same across the board, x

[Richard-Allen]

Sadly, I believe the covid backlog is affecting everyone, everywhere. In England there are some 4.7 million people waiting operations. This was back in April.

I see that Scotland are looking at a 12-week waiting time: publichealthscotland.scot/p...

I would imagine that it would depend upon certain factors mainly the urgency, bed and staff availability.

Earlier this year a lot of operations had to be cancelled due to Covid. Many operations will involved a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a day or more, before being transferred up onto a ward. In the past, all beds in the ICU's were full due to covid patients so many operations had to be cancelled, and this has caused the backlog.

I'm sorry I can't be more positive, it's just a case of having to wait. Try and speak to your GP and see if they can help with some better pain-management in the mean time.

Best Wishes.

Richard

[Bbbhddd]

I was diagnosed in May 2020. On the waiting list since October 2020. Still waiting…. I called the hospital last week and they said im still 7 weeks away from the top of the list. My doctor expedited the surgery too and im on the “at short notice” list. Im in england though. Hopefully scotland has a much shorter list.

I feel your pain, literally