Waiting List for surgery

Billy85

Hi there,

I was told my hip surgery would be around 6 months so here's hoping I hear something soon as that's me waited 6 months so far.

I know everywhere is different, I'm in the west of Scotland, but was wondering how long people were told they would have to wait for there surgery until they actually received their treatment.

Thanks

Billy

jamieA

Hi @Billy85

I also live in the west of Scotland - in Glasgow - and after waiting 9 months for an orthopaedics consultation for my knee I was seen in late December and in January I received a letter stating that it needed replaced and the current waiting time is 107 weeks. I think these waiting times differ from hospital to hospital even within the same health board area. I believe the Great Glasgow and Clyde health board have set up a fast track joint replacement service at the Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank to try to reduce waiting times. It might be worth contacting your orthopaedics consultant's secretary to see if you can get a date or even state you will be willing to take a cancellation spot.

I see from your other post that you've also got PsA - which I also have.

[Deleted User]

In South Wales the average waiting list is 104 weeks (2 years) but in some hospitals is three years. I've heard that in N Ireland could be 6 years. In England the average time is 36 weeks. I've heard that some hospitals in England are taking referrals from the other countries and I'm going to try this for my second replacement because I can't wait two years.

mosey55

I live in Northamptonshire and have been on the waiting list for a hip replacement since August 2023, so far longer than the 36 weeks mentioned by previous member, btw still waiting with no date in sight!

Bevdav123

I’m South Wales I waited 2and a half years for my op, supposed to have the other hip replaced too, saw the consultant last week was told I could be waiting 7 years! I really hope it’s not that long 😔

Billy85

My area Ayrshire the average waiting time says 28 weeks.

@jamieA a fast track joint replacement service sound good. I tried calling the secretary for an idea of a date, she couldn't tell me anything other than I am on the urgent and cancellation list. My PsA is manageable at the moment with medication but with my hip being bone on bone its currently keeping me off work.

@Nurina @Bevdav123 WOW 6 and 7 year waiting times are crazy.

@mosey55 I feel your pain, it's the wait with no idea with a date that's the hard bit for me, it's like your life is put on hold in the meantime. I do hope you hear something very soon.

Thanks everyone,

One day at a time.

SoniaR

My area (Herts) waiting time is 2 years. What a nightmare,

Billy85

No date yet for hip surgery but my wife had our son on Saturday morning @ 01:34am weighing 9lb so he will keep me busy till my appointment comes through 😃

noddingtonpete

@Billy85 Congratulations to you both '🎉🎉🍾

jamieA

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/724000#Comment_724000

Congratulations @Billy85 . What a wonderful way to take your mind off other things. Hope your wife and son are doing well.

[Deleted User]

Congratulations! Fantastic news.

Janlyn

@Billy85 Congratulations - really good news, hope your wife and son are doing well.

LynneMS

I'm also in West of Scotland. Waiting hip replacement. I was told waiting list average 600 days but I am now over 800 days on the list and was informed by surgeon's secretary this week that the list is currently suspended due to the amount of trauma cases, shortage of hospital beds and lack of surgeon's. I have agreed to be on cancellations list and go yto any hospital in ggchb.

I've already had to take early retirement 3 years due to pain and mobility issues and now the pain is constant and painkillers no longer have much impact.

PJoanne

Hello @LynneMS

Welcome to the forum. I've posted some links below to some reads that are relevant for you.

https://versusarthritis.org/news/2021/november/ways-to-help-manage-hip-pain/

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/hip-replacement-surgery/

I'don't know what to say about the waiting list situation, clearly awful for everyone involved, hope you get a cancellation soon. Is there a 'patient advice and liason' service at your hospital - (that is what is availible at my local hospital, they act as sort of a 'customer service'.) If so its worth contacting to see if there's anything else that can be done.

Have you advised your GP about the pain levels being out of control? They should be able to help you.

Underneath my sign off are the details for the helpline, they are lovely and will be able to help you if you would like a chat - we are always hearing from people how much better they feel after giving them a ring.

Best Joanne

[Deleted User]

Try to keep your symptoms updated in the GP or to your consultant so the Waiting list committee can jump you up in the list. I was put in a routine list of 2 years of waiting but I visited my consultant because I couldn't walk and I was in excruciating pain and my consultant put me in the "emergency list". "Only" a year later, I had my surgery. They told me about all this traumatology ER cases and I don't know what to think about this.

Billy85

Still waiting, 13 and a half months now since I was added to the 'urgent' list.

Had my pre op 6 weeks ago but haven't heard anything since so here's hoping it's soon.

Billy

Janlyn

@Billy85 I am so sorry you are still waiting - it has been such a long time for you. Are you still in such bad pain? Can you, or have you, asked to be put on a cancellations list? Can you keep enquiring just in case you get pushed up the list.

And how is your little boy?

Take care and hope you get your appointment soon.

[Deleted User]

I theory, if you've had your pre-assessment, you should receive the letter with the appointment within 12 weeks or they would have to repeat it. NHS can't afford to repeat the pre assessment but all depends on the decision of the waiting list committee. In Wales, which has one of the longest waiting list in UK, the routine list is two years and the urgent list is one year. Have you asked to the secretary in which list you are? Despite the fact I was disabled and in pain, they added me, at the beginning, to the routine list. The secretary can estimate around what date you could have your surgery. Good luck!

Bryony

I've been waiting 2 years in North Yorkshire since referral (4 1/2 years since severe OA kicked in). I've just sent a legal letter to my ICB. If you look on line in England at My Care Pathway, it gives the median times for waits for treatment. They seem to be about the 18 week mark. Yet here we are waiting years. The waiting list statistics seem to bear no relation to the waits people are experiencing.

It is now 4 1/2 years since I developed severe OA in both knees, and haven't had a single undisturbed night's sleep since then. Couldn't do my job so had to live off savings until my state pension kicked in. Severe OA started back in summer 2020 which was peak Covid time and I couldn't get a face to face appointment with an NHS physiotherapist. It took until early 2022 to be seen face to face and I was then referred for x-rays which showed bone-on-bone in both knees. Further delay of 1 year as my GP said I'd be rejected for referral until all the boxes had been ticked, ie meds etc had been proven to have failed.

It took 51 weeks from referral to get my first consultation, due to numerous cancellations. I got moved off the waiting list because I could put on my socks by myself - it was a blatant case of waiting list statistics manipulation, and nothing to do with my clinical need (every step was painful, my knees buckled multiple times a day, walking down minor slopes near to impossible, going up stairs on all fours) I got prescribed another 6 months doing the same exercises I'd been doing for 3 1/2 years. though by now those that involved weight-bearing were no longer possible.

I'm beginning to wonder what the suicide statistics are for people on these many years long waiting lists.

Billy85

@Janlyn it has indeed been a long time, I've been off work for 11 month also which doesn't help financially either. I have flare ups and often end up in pain whenever I try to do too much around the house or walk any distance. Yes, I asked to be put on the cancellation list from the start. My little boy is doing great thanks, he did have the flu between Xmas and new year which turned into pneumonia, spent a few nights in hospital but he seems to be a lot better now. 7 months old already, time flies.

@Nurina I was told my pre op lasts 16 weeks and I have heard that about it costing the NHS money to repeat it. So going by that here's hoping I get word sooner rather than later. I'm definitely on the cancellation list and stated that I'm willing to travel for the surgery. Thank you.

Janlyn

@Billy85 I do hope you get a cancellation soon, it's hard to hear how you are in pain, not able to work and without a date for surgery in sight. Your little boy must be such a joy, although a worry when he was recently in hospital. Take care and fingers crossed for an early appointment for you 🤞