Cancellations

[BeaBea]

I thought I'd write and ask if I could go on the cancellations list ... well you never know do you?

I had a message on the answer phone from the Consultants secretary, in brief "sorry due to the nature of the surgery we don't have cancellations"

So I consider myself told lol

Do any other areas have cancellation lists that you know of?

 

[Twiggie]

I know some people have been offered cancellations but I think it depends on circumstances. If you're already on a pre-op diet when a cancellation comes up then you'll stand a far better chance of being offered the slot than someone who isn't.

For this very reason my bariatric nurse told me "don't waste time calling to ask about cancellations, if there is one we will call you". They check their list to see who would be a most suitable replacement.

 

[PuffinRub]

For this very reason my bariatric nurse told me "don't waste time calling to ask about cancellations..."

We're both being seen by The Whittington Hospital and so far I've had all three of my sessions (one group education, two consultant appointments) booked and then moved forward due to cancellations, so The Whit are good at letting people know. This obviously doesn't apply to the actual surgery itself!

When I was there about ten days ago, the staff were complaining (including "your bariatric nurse") about the number of "no shows". There were twelve people who didn't bother showing up for their appointments that morning alone.

Regards, Ade.

 

[Twiggie]

We're both being seen by The Whittington Hospital and so far I've had all three of my sessions (one group education, two consultant appointments) booked and then moved forward due to cancellations, so The Whit are good at letting people know. This obviously doesn't apply to the actual surgery itself!

When I was there about ten days ago, the staff were complaining (including "your bariatric nurse") about the number of "no shows". There were twelve people who didn't bother showing up for their appointments that morning alone.

Regards, Ade.

It was cancellation appointments for surgery I was referring to, which I think BeaBea was asking about.

It certainly is possible to get cancellations for other appointments, as you're aware. I was on the 'phone daily to get my first consultation moved forward from December '09 to October '09.

As far as "no shows" go, then I'm sorry but unless there are extenuating circumstances, anyone who fails to either turn up or cancel their appointment if they can't make it should be removed from the list. There are plenty of people willing to take their place, as evident by the ever growing waiting lists for each PCT.

 

[phatmomma]

Ahh Twiggie i think i may be a little controverusial but when i started my journey originally (with a different provider than the one who did it 2 weeks ago) about 5 years ago, i missed an appt with a dietician purely because my marriage/relationship of 22 yrs had just collapsed and my head was all over the place. Completely forgot my appt due to stress...

To be given an opportunity to explain my very valid reason would have been great, but it never happened...

However i think your point about operation cancellations been offered to those already on the pre op is a fab idea. Is it possible BeaBea that you could start the pre op in the hope that a cancellation may come up. I know people don't cancel but they do get ill and then would obviously have the sense to ring and let the hospitals know xx

 

[PuffinRub]

As far as "no shows" go, then I'm sorry but unless there are extenuating circumstances, anyone who fails to either turn up or cancel their appointment if they can't make it should be removed from the list.

I'd support that wholeheartedly if it wasn't for the fact that I received my appointment letters in the post AFTER the appointments on two out of three occasions. I only happened to know of them because the bariatric co-ordinator had telephoned me to let me know they had been made upon my request.

Regards, Ade.

 

[BlueDiamond]

I had a message on the answer phone from the Consultants secretary, in brief "sorry due to the nature of the surgery we don't have cancellations"

Hello

I asked if they had cancellation (for my hosp) and the surgical admissions told me the same, because its a long procedure to organise beds,paperwork,theatre, surgeon, nurses etc and that usually takes 6 weeks from allocating a surgery date, having said that I am more then happy to wait as I am just thankful they are going to do it in Aug/Sept time (no later then end of Sept I been told) and I have funding in place already, where as some people dont even get the chance of an operation full stop . Good luck on your journey anyway xx


All the best - MeJulie x x

 

[angelicheart]

BeaBea i wish you all the best,and good luck, never give up always be positive ok good luck.

 

[BeaBea]

Hey I do appreciate all your replies, but I thought it was worth a try. I wouldn't want to step in front of anyone either as I know there are some who need it far more than I do at the moment. I have been told we are looking at October and really it isn't that far away is it .... once again thanks you are the best lot ever .....

 

[PuffinRub]

Don't be disheartened by what you've read. I would suggest a nice polite telephone conversation with the consultant's secretary and say that although you acknowledge cancellations are extremely rare, you would like them to note your details in case of a surgical no-show. Doing so is basically saying that you will be operated on with almost no notice, i.e. they call you at 9am and you need to be there for 10am ready for surgery. Calling every day is just going to annoy the secretary and (s)he needs to be your best friend here as (s)he is the gatekeeper to your surgeon.

I suspect the vast majority of hospitals won't be able to do this for weight loss surgery due to the sheer number of tests required along with the liver shrinkage diet required for surgical candidates. Also, if someone's gone through all the tests, consultant appointments, etc, they're not likely to drop out so I really have no clue as to how successful you will be, but if you're prepared to live with your bags packed and can drop absolutely everything with no notice (i.e. children, pets, job, etc) then I guess there is no harm in asking.

Regards, Ade.

 

[dreamofbeingslim]

Hi some of my appts have been cancellations but when I spoke to the surgeon about cancellations his reply was. Usually when people cancel their ops they don't give much notice as its usually down to illness, so they don't have time to get someone else on the pre-op diet.