How to reduce waiting time for an NHS operation (My Planned Care)
There is alot you can do. Here are 5 things you can do. Using the NHS My Planned Care website is one of the more important things.
All will require some work from you.
1. Use the NHS’s My Planned Care website – to do some research before you see the GP, to help them
Waiting times can vary considerably between hospitals, and you can use the My Planned Care website to compare waiting times at different hospitals.
You can asked to be referred to a hospital where the performance is better. This is especially useful for patients who live between hospitals, or live in large cities (with multiple hospitals) or who don’t mind travelling.
And, accept that it might be sensible to choose to have your operation at a hospital that is not close to home where the waiting lists are shorter.
2. Make a note of the hospital and department you and your GP choose for your referral
And make a note of how long the Choose and Book service says you should have to wait for your first appointment at the hospital. If it seems excessively long, ask them to look at other hospitals.
3. Look out for your referral letter which should give you the details of your first hospital appointment
- If it does not arrive within two weeks, contact the hospital, not your GP. You can do this by ringing either the e-booking service, or a secretary in the department you are being referred to, or both. He/she may help you
- Find the name of the consultant you have been referred to, and the name of the consultant’s secretary. Get to know them. They are very important. Check the date that you are to be seen. If you have been seen, check that you are on the waiting list for the operation, and later check you are still on it. Ask how long you can then expect to wait for the operation
- Also you can ring the consultant’s secretary every two weeks and ask to be informed if there are any cancellations. Then you need to be ready to have an operation at short notice.
4. NHS App
The NHS app can now be used in some bits of the UK to help you.
5. See your GP early
The earlier you see your GP with a problem, the sooner you will get the treatment you need.
If your GP thinks you need an operation they will need to refer you on to a hospital to see a specialist. You cannot refer yourself unless you go private and pay.
Summary
We have described how to reduce waiting time for an NHS operation – do the 5 things above, especially My Planned Care. Push push push. Chase chase chase. And keep a note of when you did all the above (and the outcome) in your medical record. Do not assume that everything is going OK because you have not heard anything.
