Irregular heart and waiting for knee replacement surgery

Bryony
Bryony Member Posts: 107
edited 28. Aug 2025, 09:16 in Living with arthritis

I've been waiting for knee replacement surgery of both knees for 3 years (5 years in reality) - (long story of NHS deliberate underhand delaying tactics, and original delays because Covid halted everything). My surgery should be fairly soon now, within the next month or three.

I developed heart palpitations / irregularities five years ago, and saw my GP then, and they were thought most likely to be benign. Of course investigations weren't taken any further as this was peak covid time. As they had got worse I saw my GP in May of this year, knowing that it might mean if they were not checked out that my surgery might end up getting cancelled. She referred me for a heart holter in June. I'd not had any communication from the hospital so rang them today to find out where I was on the waiting list. Apparently the waiting list is 52 weeks, and goodness knows how long after that to get the results! I'm down as 'routine'.

I told the person that I'd been waiting for 3 years for knee surgery which is now imminent and that I'm concerned that my surgery will be cancelled because of my heart not being checked out. She gave me the phone number of the cardiology unit, to raise it with them. They just have an answer machine so I left a message outlining the issue. I somehow doubt that they'll get back to me, or they'll just do a bit of hand-wringing.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to go private to get it done, as if my surgery gets cancelled it will tip me right over the edge, and probably no coming back this time. There is a point where you just can't take any more.

The NHS is quite frankly worse than abysmal these days. If it didn't exist at least we would know where we are. Instead it promises but doesn't deliver, and doesn't bother to inform you that it won't be delivering, just leaves you in the dark.

Comments

  • Loggiemod
    Loggiemod Member Posts: 245

    Hi @Bryony yes NHS waiting lists are terrible. I'm waiting on an appointment since Jan for a procedure. Granted I don't have the other worries you have, but if you can afford private might be worth a shot. My wife had something similar and we paid £200 for a private consultation just to find out where we stood.

  • Bryony
    Bryony Member Posts: 107

    Well after persistent ringing the hospital they finally returned my call and lo and behold they have a number of appointments next week so have booked me in. It just shows me that the very vocal and pushy get treatment months and years earlier than those who are not so pushy.

    Hope you get your procedure done soon. Maybe start making a nuisance so they stop ignoring you and instead get on and do the procedure!