NHS is open, my story

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mikyman

Original Poster:

115 posts

112 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
Despite Boris,his mates and 'dodgy' dossiers/figures, the NHS is still open to non Covid patients.
Background is chest pains early in the year.Echo stress test and angiogram at local hospital resulted in me being referred to James Cook hospital in Middlesbro
Met surgeon in July and triple bypass surgery was recommended
He suggested a 4 -6 week timescale to get me in.
Date finally agreed for end Sept but then cancelled.
Back to waiting list.
In the meantime the virus second wave started.
I thought it would be a long wait,but.
James Cook were prepared and had sectioned their premises over the summer.
About a third of beds were given over to covid and designated 'red' zone.
No one who worked in this area was allowed in the rest of hospital.
They then designated an amber pathway for accident and emergency,those who had not had a test before admittance.
Lastly green,for people like myself who had a test and were clear.
Was contacted last tues morning and asked if i could attend today for surgery tomorrow.
They kept the time as short as possible so that they would be confident that it was ok for surgery to go ahead.
Its difficult to sort everything that needs to be done, plus self isolate as much as possible and have a covid test in such a short time.
Still i'm ready now for my son to take me in
A little apprehensive but prefer to 'risk' covid than a heart attack.
Moral of story, don't be put off by doom and gloom from Boris and his merry men.The NHS is still open.

carreauchompeur

17,954 posts

209 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
Good to hear, thanks for posting and best of luck.

In the early summer I had an indigestion issue which put me on the risk list for cancer. Gastroscopy within a fortnight.

JapanRed

1,570 posts

116 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
Boris did say at the start of this lockdown that the NHS is open and that people should continue to use health services. Not sure which bit of the OP is news....

bristolbaron

5,032 posts

217 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
I’m due for a major elective surgery (total proctocolectomy) on Friday and I’m on the edge of postponing. Whilst I understand risks are minimised at the moment, it’s already a complex surgery with a number of risks and high chance of re-admittance.
On top of that, no visitors during 4/5 day recovery, being ridiculously busy at work, and I do need to consider how covid would affect me if the worst happened, pushing back to next year starts to make sense.

Glosphil

4,461 posts

239 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
My YAG eye treatment due in early April was postponed & carried out in late September.
A MRI on my heart due in April was postponed as were 2 later appointments. Now awaiting for it to be scheduled again.
I suspect what ops/procedures being carried out is area dependant.

mikyman

Original Poster:

115 posts

112 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
JapanRed said:
Boris did say at the start of this lockdown that the NHS is open and that people should continue to use health services. Not sure which bit of the OP is news....
I'm sorry that my post wasn't news to you.
From my experience of hospital visits during the 'pandemic' many heart depts were operating at less than half capacity.Mainly people refusing to go in and rather suffer the risk of a heart attack than contracting covid.
I was trying to re assure others that its still ok and as safe as they can make it.
Its probably safer in a hospital than a supermarket.

mikyman

Original Poster:

115 posts

112 months

Monday 9th November 2020
quotequote all
I thought I would mention a very interesting blog written by a senior consultant in the Covid dept of James Cook hospital.
He is Richard Cree,
His blog is titlted 'There are no more surgeons'
Its worth a read to get an honest upto date take on the current situation.
Not the usual rubbish put out by BBC etc.