Coventry hospital

[Bess21]

Anyone been to Coventry see Mr Bansal?

[Rainyday2024]

Hello Bess21,

Just seen your message! Although I have never had an appointment with Mr Bansal, I will be interested to see if you get any feedback. I live in Rugby and used to go to the Glaucoma Clinic at St Cross - usually saw Mr Otri, who was a lovely man. Then he seemed to only be available at Walsgrave, as I still call it. I haven’t been to UHCW (Walsgrave!) for ages, but I believe Mr Otri has left and is now working abroad. Almost a year ago, I had an eye operation done privately in Birmingham and since then have been visiting the consultant for check-ups, etc. Obviously this is very costly, plus there is the hassle of travelling to and from Birmingham, so I would therefore like to go back to being seen on the NHS if possible. As I said previously, I will be very interested to read any replies you may receive. Regards, G

[Bess21 in reply to Rainyday2024]

He is really nice and I am considering transferring to coventry nhs.

[Sodalover]

yes I saw Mr Bansal, after 4 cancelled NHS appointments I paid for a private consultation at the Meridian with him. He was very kind and after looking at my test results he was not convinced of my glaucoma diagnosis. He then emailed the NHS clinic to recommend an urgent MRI and referral to a Neuro ophthalmologist, he told me that if I hadn’t heard anything in a week to call his secretary who would chase my appointment, no need as I had an appointment for the MRI the following week

I’m still waiting for the neuro appointment so will be ringing Mr Bansal to ask for a recommendation and will book privately.

I feel very let down by the NHS, I list most of the sight in my right eye overnight last March, initial appointment took 4 weeks was with a local clinic who said they couldn’t help and did urgent referral to the hospital, that took another 2 weeks with me chasing. I saw a doctor who told me what I was saying was impossible, gave me no advice other than here’s a prescription, you use these drops until you’re 99 or dead.

I wish I had seen Mr Bansal at my first appointment, if you have an appointment with him I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Good luck

[Bess21 in reply to Sodalover]

Paying see him privately want 2nd opinion. Je works nhs coventry but not sure how long to get on list but will ask him.

[Sodalover in reply to Bess21]

The problem with being on his NHS list is you rarely get to see him in person, you’re seen by an ophthalmologist whose notes are checked by Mr Bansal, and they have a real issue at the eye clinic with cancelling appointments, sometimes at very short notice, that’s why I paid to see him privately. It now looks like I’ll be doing the same to see a neurologist as there seems to be a long waiting list for appointments.

[Bess21 in reply to Sodalover]

I went private see neurologist it's 12 months wait nhs same has ent

[Littlesnowflake]

Yes, I've seen Mr Bansal. I first saw him following disillusionment with my local hospital. After several years of what I considered good treatment, it seemed to change, so I went to see Mr Bansal privately at The Meriden for a 2nd opinion.

He agreed with me. Was very approachable, thorough, and talked through a recommended treatment plan, the state of my eyes etc.

I paid for a laser procedure to get it done quickly. He also transferred me to NHS at UHCW and I had my 1st NHS appointment there last September when I saw him again.

To answer your specific query, the transfer was done quickly but I had to obtain my notes from my current hospital.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

[Bess21 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Thankyou very much.

[Bess21 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Saw him yesterday he is really nice so I might transfer to nhs coventry. What laser did you have and how are your eyes now

[Littlesnowflake]

I had an SLT procedure - Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty. It had been refused at my previous hospital. I now have an appointment to have it done on my other (right) eye on 25th February under the NHS at UHCW. My eyes will no longer tolerate any drops containing preservative and I am on the maximum preservative- free drops. I also take a low dose Acetazolomide tablet to reduce my eye pressure.

So Mr Bansal wants me to have a Trabeculectomy in each eye. Unfortunately the shape of my eyes due to extreme myopia plus my hooded eyes will make the operation difficult.

Now, my eyes are comfortable and my sight is very good apart from my lost peripheral vision.

I hope this is useful to you.

[Bess21 in reply to Littlesnowflake]

Did you have narrow angles or open

[Littlesnowflake]

Primary open-angle glaucoma

[Bess21]

Okay thankyou