Hi I have been trying to get a gastric bypass on the nhs since June 2012, I am based in northern Ireland and despite having a bmi of over 60 and a lot of physical health issues I found out today I was turned down at the last board meeting. The trusts solicitor rang me with the decision after I had to write to the health minister and put in a complaint via the patient client council. I had been passed by the diabetes doctor, and dietitian and phycologist back in 2012 and was told in December 2012 an extra contractual referral would have to be made as there is no funding in northern Ireland for any gastric bypass surgery.
Over the last six months my health as become so bad I am bed bound. I can't walk without help and support and have now been given a wheelchair.
My pain consultant wrote a letter of support last year and he basically told them if I was refused the surgery they were signing my death certificate.
My Gp also wrote a letter of support.
I had also wrote a letter to the health minister asking for his support, took 6 months but I got a reply from his secretary stating the NICE regulations and saying I had to be in the top 5% of the population with the same problems. My pain consultant said I was in the top 1%.
If you've made it this far thank you.
Today I got another phone call from the trusts solicitor letting me know he had requested all the information that was before the trust and when they made their decision. Turns out all that they based their decision on was my original gp's letter requesting the surgery. They had none of the other doctors letters of support. I have spend the last 4 hours talking to doctors Secretaries asking for letters of support.
I was asked by my Gp to do up a list of all my health issues and how they effect my daily life. He wants me to write a letter to the Trust and explain how my life has changed how a typical week is for me and how much help I receive.
My question is this. have any of you had to fight for the funding of your surgery? how did you do it? Would you have any information or guide lines that would help. Any help or support would be much appreciated.
Any additional information has to be with him on Wednesday by lunchtime as the board meet again. I think it was left this late on purpose so I couldn't get any supporting letters from my consultants by Wednesday.
I have spent 3 hours crying but then I just decided to stop the tears and try my hardest to get my life back.
Over the last six months my health as become so bad I am bed bound. I can't walk without help and support and have now been given a wheelchair.
My pain consultant wrote a letter of support last year and he basically told them if I was refused the surgery they were signing my death certificate.
My Gp also wrote a letter of support.
I had also wrote a letter to the health minister asking for his support, took 6 months but I got a reply from his secretary stating the NICE regulations and saying I had to be in the top 5% of the population with the same problems. My pain consultant said I was in the top 1%.
If you've made it this far thank you.
Today I got another phone call from the trusts solicitor letting me know he had requested all the information that was before the trust and when they made their decision. Turns out all that they based their decision on was my original gp's letter requesting the surgery. They had none of the other doctors letters of support. I have spend the last 4 hours talking to doctors Secretaries asking for letters of support.
I was asked by my Gp to do up a list of all my health issues and how they effect my daily life. He wants me to write a letter to the Trust and explain how my life has changed how a typical week is for me and how much help I receive.
My question is this. have any of you had to fight for the funding of your surgery? how did you do it? Would you have any information or guide lines that would help. Any help or support would be much appreciated.
Any additional information has to be with him on Wednesday by lunchtime as the board meet again. I think it was left this late on purpose so I couldn't get any supporting letters from my consultants by Wednesday.
I have spent 3 hours crying but then I just decided to stop the tears and try my hardest to get my life back.
xx
