Care Opinion

Cataract Operation

Posted By Shashikala

"Cataract Operation"

About: Northampton General Hospital (Acute) / Ophthalmology

(as the patient),

When I came to Hospital for the above operation I was asked 'which eye I would like to do 1st'. I choose right eye. This was done. When I enquire at the time of my 1st Check up, when the left eye operation will be?

I was told that I have to go to my GP and asked her to write to Hospital again.

Why this is necessary when originally my GP wrote to you for both the eyes?

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Responses

Response from Northampton General Hospital 18 years ago
Northampton General Hospital

Submitted on 21/08/2006 at 09:28

Thank you for taking the time to post your comments

As of April 2006 Northampton General Hospital have been instructed by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) who purchase operations on behalf of the GP’s that patients can only be on the waiting list in any specialty for one procedure at a time. This requires the consultant treating you to refer you back to your GP after your first treatment has finished.

Your GP cannot refer you for two procedures at any one time i.e. for removal of Cataracts from left and right eye.

It may have been that you were referred before April by your GP for both eyes but did not have your operation until after April when this instruction came into being.

We do understand your frustration regarding these instructions but we as a Trust have to follow the instructions given to us by the PCT.

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