"Waiting for a surgery appointment"

Last month I had an appointment at the Pre-Admission Clinic in regards to seeing if I was or will be ready for surgery on my knee for total replacement. The appointment went well and I was given information stating that my operation would be happening in 3 to 4 weeks after attending this clinic, maybe a little longer. Earlier this month I rang the Admission Clinic with a question I had in regards to when I needed to have or do my blood tests and if I needed to stop my medication for my blood condition. I also was calling to inform them that my specialist at another hospital who treats my blood condition had said following the results from my recent Bone Marrow Biopsy that it was ok for the hospital to go ahead and do the operation as soon as able while my bloods are holding reasonably stable.

On this phone call, I spoke with a lovely nurse who understood my concerns and informed me that they will let bookings, the surgeon and the orthopaedic liaison person know to make sure I was still on the lists and am ready for surgery. The nurse also informed me that if I hadn't received a date within two weeks to ring Bookings to find out how much longer I might have to wait. I decided to wait an extra week before ringing Bookings to enquire as I had read reports on social media pages that the hospital has been extra busy. 

Well I rang Bookings today to enquire if we are any closer to being given a date as to when I might be having my surgery and this is when they told me that no date has been given yet but I will have a six-month wait as the hospital is extremely busy. I went into shock when they told me and I questioned them again and they said I have six months to wait. My understanding is that pre-admission tests are only valid for six months and if I have to wait another six months that means I have waited just over seven months from pre-admission clinic till surgery time and will put the hospital into breach. Also, I believe it will mean that the pathology slip I got given to come back to the hospital in two weeks to have blood tests will be out of date.

I think to be made to wait so long for a surgery date after the pre-admission clinic is not good especially given my complex medical history with my blood condition that can change in the next six months and could mean all that pre-admission testing is invalid. While I do understand the nature of hospitals and that they do get busy and events can delay surgery times, I would like to suggest that the hospital seriously consider their time frame from pre-admission to surgery time when leaflets state that surgery hopefully happens 3 to 4 weeks after attending this clinic. Also if one does have to wait 4 weeks or longer after pre-admission that the hospital communicates this to the patient and the patient's GP. To date, I have had no communication at all from the hospital as to when my surgery is likely to happen.

As mentioned I am happy to wait a little longer but it would be nice if someone is able to communicate and give me a date as to when my surgery is likely to happen so I can plan and arrange aftercare etc. Not being given a date or near date has been extremely stressful, frustrating and annoying. I have left a comment on the hospital feedback page but to date, I have not heard from the hospital in regards to that feedback.