pct's so different!!

[pmkmrm]

it has been grt looking through peoples experiences with regards to their funding stories but boy how come the nhs pct's can all have different procedures on how the funding is worked out and depending on where u live they can change the nice guidelines for wls to suit. soo confusing. some people get letters saying they are definetly funded ,others say they see consultant first etc...
i am in brighton i recieved a letter saying i have been referred to chicester and chi then apply for funding for consultation then spend next 5/6 months applying for funding for the operation. what have ur experiences been with this subject?? i would love to hear about them
thanks love kate

 

[Pandora_150]

This is the process for my PCT, and although I have not been through the whole process myself yet (as I am at stage three and have 2 more weeks to go before I see the Surgeon) I hope this helps a bit more with your understanding. Then again it might just confuse you even more!

PCT: Calderdale/ Huddersfield

Procedure:

Stage One: Go to GP.

Stage Two: GP will apply to PCT for funding.

Wait around 4-6 weeks.

Stage Three: If funding is given collect appointment forms from GP and call the hospital to arrange an initial consultation with the Surgeon.

Wait around 4-6 weeks.

Stage Four: Meet with Surgeon who will send you on a mission to have many many many tests done (ie, sleep apnoea; blood tests; psychological assessments…)

This should take place in the next 3-4 months.

Stage Five: Your Surgeon will have a huge meeting with all the information gather from your numerous tests and with many staff, to decide on whether or not you are eligible/able to have the surgery.

This should take another 2-3 months

Stage Six: The results of the big meet will be sent to your GP, who should (in theory) get in touch with you.

This should take another month or so.

Stage Seven: You will be re-referred to the Surgeon you saw previously and arrange a second meeting with him.

This should again take 4 -6 weeks.

Stage Eight: The surgeon will put you on the waiting list for the surgery.

The surgery should be performed 18 weeks from the last meeting with the Surgeon, according to waiting list guideline times.

Stage Nine: Have the surgery



I hope this doesn't confuse anybody any further!

 

[cazbandy]

It's all about division of money.

It's all about division of labour.

It's all about red tape.

If all areas had the same criteria the money would run out, there would not be enough bariatric surgeons to go round and there would not be enough admin to cope with demand.

Which is unfair, as some regions get a really rough ride trying to get the help that will eventually save the NHS money.

My journey took 6 months, I guess that was quick. I feel so much for those that are put through the mill if they don't live in an area that supports the NICE criteria.

 

[fatbutnot4eva]

I am under salford and mine is

1. see your gp
2. get referred to a weigt management course
3. spend 6 months minimum on the course going once a month to be weighed keep a food diary and continue on xenical (or reductil)
4. Get referred to salford royal (hope hospital) for blood tests sleep apnea physcological chat.
5. Meet surgeon to discuss Band or Bypass
6. Have operation

I have been told from step 4 to 6 can take between 12 week and 12 months - last month I was told there was no waiting list and my course ends at the end of April and I should have had the op by October so from step 1 to 6 will have taken approx 15 months.
x Fingers and toes crossed x

 

[kell]

My journey so far...

1. saw my GP in June 2008 to be referred

2. got a letter approx 4 weeks later to phone the hospital for an appointment, which I did straightaway, and was told on the phone that an appointment would be sent through the post to me within 8 weeks

3. Phoned up after 8 weeks to find out when my appt would be as id not received one, only to be told that my referral had been cancelled due to it being sent to the wrong place?? and I would need to go back to GP to be re-refered! Grrrrrrrrr!!

4. went back to GP and was re-referred again

5. was sent an appointment for mid October to see a dietician to see if I needed referring?

6. had a meeting with her which took approx 45 mins and she agreed to refer me

7. waited approx 14 weeks for an appointment to see another dietician, who basically did the same thing as the 1st dietician I saw?? and she told me that she would put me forward to the board of surgeons for a decision

8. she phoned me 2 weeks later and said that they agreed I needed the surgery and that she was sending letters out for appt to see the surgeon, which would be in approx 8 weeks time. I asked her if this meant that funding had been granted to which she said that if the GP had referred me then its assumed that they are willing to pay for it? (I thought the gp had no say in funding)??

9. So here I am left wondering whats going on, have I got funding or not? and waiting for an appt to come through to see the surgeon?

This is all soooooo confusing!!...lol

 

[jaynefrances]

my experience so far has been :
GP referred me to my PCT's specialist weight managements service. They supported me and noted my commitment and when all other options were exhausted they agreed to refer me for surgery (which is not at our local hospital but at Sunderland)
At this point the PCT have already made the funding commitment and as long as the surgeon agrees i have this option open to me.
I had a group appointment - about 18 of us watched a presentation and chatted to the surgeon and dietician. Those of us that choose to go ahead are sent away to lose "some" weight.
When we get our next apt the dietician will look at our weight loss and set us a new weight loss goal. Those who have not lost will be referred to a psychiatrist (which just delays the process further)
If on our third visit we have lost what they asked us to the surgeon will agree to put us on the waiting list.
It has been a long drawn out process (its now 15 months since i approached my GP) some people have had their ops much quicker, but equally some have had to wait much longer.
I have been fat for 27 years so i guess i can wait another one (just not very patiently thats all !!)
Try not to get disheartened

 

[teen]

mine was

1 go see Dr for referal (end august)

2 went to see Dr at walsall (October)

3 went walsall for tests and stuff (november)

4 saw anethsatist (november)

5 op on 2nd Jan