"Hotel and travel expenses could have been avoided"

Around the end of December, I was called by the Grampian Waiting List Clinic confirming I was on the waiting list for cataract surgery.

I confirmed that I was waiting and the member of staff proceeded to tell me my options regarding where I might be seen. They offered me Aberdeen or Glasgow waiting lists. I asked how the assessment process went and they explained I would be invited for an assessment, go home, then back another day for surgery. I then said I was not willing to travel to Glasgow on 2 separate occasions. They then said that they had not explained themselves correctly and said if I choose to go on the Glasgow waiting list I would be assessed and operated on the same day. They stated that the waiting list is much longer for Aberdeen than Glasgow

After that explanation, I agreed to go to Glasgow, but found out when my pre-assessment forms came through the post, that what I had been told was incorrect. 

Although the accommodation provided in Glasgow was excellent, as was the care I received, had I been correctly informed, I would have saved myself time and stress, and just gone to Aberdeen. This process of outsourcing clinics is a good compromise, one I do support, but Grampian Health Board has picked up the tab for hotel accommodation and travel expenses which could have been avoided.

When I called Grampian Waiting List Clinic, after I received the pre-assessment forms and appointment date for Glasgow. I spoke with a lovely member of staff. When I explained my story (prior to going to Glasgow) they stated that this has been happening quite a lot. They offered to put me on the Aberdeen list but could not tell me how long the list was or where I would be on that list, so I accepted to Glasgow appointment. 

With having 2 cataracts to remove, this will now involve another 2 trips to Glasgow in the near future.

I am highlighting this to ensure that the staff in the Waiting List Clinic, get their story correct before organising any more appointments.