Advert for Bupa?!?

‘Your operation is important’

‘It is probably the most difficult and complex operation any orthopaedic consultant will see in this clinic this week’

‘Not having the operation will have major consequences on your health’

Not my words – the words of my consultants.

I suppose it serves me right.

I should have private health cover.

This morning I was due to check in at St Peters hospital to have my long awaited operation on my wrist.

After rescheduling all my clients and making various other arrangements based on the agreed recovery time that all changed.

Its amazing how one single phone call can have so many ramifications.

Yesterday lunchtime, after reassuring me last time that it was unlikely to be cancelled again, a definite maybe I realise, and despite what they keep telling me is an important procedure they cancelled it again.

I realise certain other operations take priority.

However, this is the second time they have cancelled at short notice.

This is not the only bad service that I have had from the NHS.

In the year leading to my operation I have spent over 12hrs in waiting rooms for late appointments, I have waited 2hrs to be told my consultant wasn’t even present, I have received phone calls that I shouldn’t of received, they have told me they could not book me in for an operation and then after working out some dates realised that they could and that’s not to mention the extortionate parking costs.

Needless to say, after nearly 2 years I am still walking around with a fractured scaphoid.

Needless to say that if they were a business in this economic climate they would have gone under!

If this were the level of service I receive for a broken bone, I would hate to see what happens for a minor ailment or disease.

One thing is for sure, as best I can, I will continue to take responsibility of my own health. I will continue to eat and drink healthily, I will exercise regularly, I will get to bed on time on school nights ;-), and I will manage my stress levels.

I certainly wouldn’t want them to be responsible for anything more medical!

Fortunately, I have no other dependants other than a really frustrated wife?!? Fortunately, my business will recover. If I had been in a different situation the consequences could have been much more severe. They clearly had no appreciation for my self-employed status.

My op has been rescheduled for a fortnight’s time. Will it happen? Who knows!!!