Nearly 1,700 patients 'begged' the NHS for hip and knee surgeries but operations were still denied

[Northerner]

The reality of NHS rationing means soaring numbers of patients are being denied hip and knee surgery – despite ‘begging’ letters from their doctors, an investigation has found.

Nearly 1,700 ‘exceptional’ requests were turned down by health trusts last year, up 45 per cent on 2016/17.

GPs and consultants are increasingly having to put in special requests for patients to undergo procedures which were once carried out as a routine.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5968521/Nearly-1-700-patients-denied-hip-knee-surgeries.html

 

[mikeyB]

I should have stayed in Scotland, I would have a new hip by now. Now I haven’t got a chance, because a new hip won’t get me out if my wheelchair, it just means I carry on taking Tramadol when the pain gets bad.

This isn’t about clinical need, it’s simply money. I could afford to get it done privately, I suppose, but in a private hospital there’s no one around if the diabetes goes haywire.

The Tories offend the older generation at their electoral peril.

 

[trophywench]

Well the anaesthetist took care of me whilst throwing up for a week after a hysterectomy - and he was pretty damn good!