Displaced Discs

[Georgiesmum]

One of my friends has been told she has two displaced discs on her spine and she needs an operation.
She has been told the nhs waiting list for her to have this done is two years. Does this seem like a reasonable amount of time for her to wait ? I would be interested to hear your comments.

[Sqad]

An example of State Health Care for which one is paying and not being provided with services.

A 2 year wait for ANY operation indicates a non functioning service on the verge of collapse.

[woofgang]

If she is in a consultant led service, which i assume she is, the only reason that she could be asked to wait that long would be because she chose to or because it was in her best clinical interest. She should be taking this to the Patient Advice and Liaison service who will help her to complain.
NHS handbook
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/152200/dh_132959.pdf.pdf.
The hospital or facility where she was seen (not the GP) MUST tell her how to contact their PALS service and the PALS service MUST help her to complain.

[Georgiesmum]

Thanks woofgang. I will tell her.x Many thanks.

[237SJ]

No, it`s not acceptable. Maybe she could keep pushing for a cancellation. Years ago I needed an ENT operation. The consultant surgeon told me (in the November) that the waiting list was one year but said "However, I can do the operation privately for £400 plus £100 per night in hospital for 5 nights". I told him I would not pay to go privately as I pay my National Insurance contributions and would get my money`s worth. My operation on the NHS came through 2 months later. I should have reported him for that as he was pulling a fast one.

[beso]

Research has shown that the operations are largely ineffective anyway.

No doubt a surgeon has decided the operation is required. Consider the adage that if the only tool someone has is a hammer they tend to see every problem as a nail.

Suggest they go and see an osteopath.

[Connemmara]

Feel as you 237 - I too have paid all my contributions still am even though I am retired and would resent having to pay for it . Having said if you thought £900 would take away that terrible excruciating unbearable pain. - For me I would try and get the money from somewhere.