Removed from waiting list

[LawsTra]

Hi all, don't know what to do. I was diagnosed with gallstones in Jan 2020, and put on waiting list in 2021. Finally got to see consultant in Mar 2024. Was told to get my bmi down for operation and he would review me at end Sep 2024. Did not receive letter for follow-up so called and was told there was a 4 month backlog nothing more said. Finally got letter on Oct 2024 to go to general surgery clinic only to find out I was there for something else, which I had forgotten about. Anyway while there the doctor told me that the other consultant had wrote to my GP about hir request to lose weight and that he was now REMOVING ME FROM WAITING LIST. To say I was shock was an understatement and broke down. I'm am in constant pain around my right side which has spread upto mu shoulder blade. No one told me and no one seems to acknowledge my pain. Please can someone tell me or guide me what to do. I can't wait any longer as my life has already been on hold for nearly 5 years.Sorry for rant just angry,frustrated and in pain. Any assistance appreciated

[HeartyGilly]

complain to PALS at the hospital. Can you afford a private initial consultation with a gall stones Consultant ? You can ask that any tests or treatment be on the NHS.

[LawsTra in reply to HeartyGilly]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my message. I wasn't aware that i could go private and get NHS to pay for it. Will need to reach out to employer about what is covered in my health benefits. Greatly appreciate your help. 😀

[HeartyGilly in reply to LawsTra]

No. You misunderstood. . Unless you have private medical insurance. You can pay yourself for a private consultation, but then ask for any treatment to be on tje NHS, so you would transfer to the consultants NHS list.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

You must be very tired dealing with the pain, I hope you get the help you need.

Link about making NHS complaints

patients-association.org.uk...

Patient Association have a helpline.

Have you thought about contacting your MP?

( and MS (Member of Senedd) in Wales, MSP (Member of Scottish Parliament) in Scotland)

Care Opinion is a review website which wants people in UK to pass on their good and bad health stories. Sometimes GP surgeries and hospitals respond to the stories.

careopinion.org.uk/

This thread about Patient Safety may have some useful info.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

Your ICB (Integrated Care Board) in England might have info online about their process for removing patients from waiting lists. In Wales/Scotland it's Health Boards.

If you can't find the info online, perhaps you could submit a FOI (Freedom of Information) request to your ICB or Health Board asking for documents that outline their process for removal from waiting lists.

You could also submit a FOI to the hospital where you were seen by consultant.

Being an assertive patient can affect doctor/patient relationships.

I'm not medically trained.

[LawsTra in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thank you for taking the time yo respond to my message and the information you have provided. Greatly appreciated

[Fluffyfloo]

I'm sorry, but this is insane what they're putting you through.