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Average waiting time for treatment in the UK?

I've been on the waiting list now for 30 months and I was wondering how long other NHS patients in the UK have waited for treatment?

Before I was put on the waiting list I was given a cleanness test and I passed first time and this allowed me to be put on the list. From what I remember I'll be having braces, jaw surgery and a rhinoplasty.

I'm getting quite anxious about treatment now and would really like to start it, I can't afford to go private.

Cheers

Reply 1

nanananabatman

10

It depends what you're waiting for. I've waited months just for a simple MRI scan. 30 months is an awful long time though.

Reply 2

luke88

OP

11

I've already stated what I'm waiting for. I've rang them up but they haven't a clue. So I was wondering how long others have waited who have had the same treatment as me.

Reply 3

*titanium*

12

I guess they are using their resources for people with serious conditions rather than handing out free cosmetic surgery on the NHS.

Reply 4

luke88

OP

11

There are many arguments that could suggest that they weren't.

I was promised the above, and I think two and a half years waiting is a very long time, especially of operations such as jaw movements.

Reply 5

TheOneWho

12

It isn't that long for the NHS. As long as you know you're still on the list then you'll get seen when they can see you.

Reply 6

luke88

OP

11

I think you'll find it is when the government says that maximum waiting time should be less than 18 weeks.

Reply 7

TheOneWho

12

Does that not depend on the treatment? Sometimes they can't get around to seeing everyone they should. It's not really their fault if they have a lot of people needing the same sort of treatment. They have a system which is not necessarily the worst person being treated first.

Also, the government don't really know anything about treating patients. Would you rather everything was rushed just so you get seen quicker? Maxillofacial units don't tend to have many staff.

Reply 8

Titch89

14

luke88

I think you'll find it is when the government says that maximum waiting time should be less than 18 weeks.

Really?

I've not had to wait that long for any form of treatment - 4 weeks to see a stomach specialist, 2 months to see an eye specialist and 9 weeks to see a physiotherapist.

I would try to chase it and see what they say; 2 and a half years seems ages to wait for treatment.

Reply 9

batty_hatty

7

Titch89

Really?

I've not had to wait that long for any form of treatment - 4 weeks to see a stomach specialist, 2 months to see an eye specialist and 9 weeks to see a physiotherapist.

I would try to chase it and see what they say; 2 and a half years seems ages to wait for treatment.

I think that you have just been really lucky, most people have to wait many months just to have their initial consult
However, everything is relative and waiting time will depend upon how serious your condition is.

Reply 10

Nally

10

I know someone who has been waiting for 4 years for a stomach operation!

Reply 11

h82think

14

Nag them!!!

I called every few days for an operation (the waiting time was 8 months), and instead I got seen in 4 months :biggrin:

Not sure if that works for dentistry though, as I was slotted in due to another patient cancelling.

Reply 12

nanananabatman

10

luke88

I've already stated what I'm waiting for. I've rang them up but they haven't a clue. So I was wondering how long others have waited who have had the same treatment as me.

No, you missed my point. I meant it depends on what the treatment is before trying to work out the average waiting time for it.

Reply 13

flump

I know someone who has waited about 3 years for jaw movement but she had to wait till she stopped growing. I think she is having the op in a few months so she will have waited about 3 and a half years. Have you had an preparatory treatment yet? She has had to have braces to move teeth into the right place prior to op.

Reply 14

luke88

OP

11

No I haven't even had the preparatory treatment yet so I'm beginning to get rather worried. The whole process is going to take years and I'm nearly twenty now.
I think I remember them saying I've got have my wisdom teeth taken out too, so that's going add to more delays.

Also I remember months ago now the local primary care trust was going to cut 1,000 jobs from North Staffordshire hospital, again this doesn't help.

I've tried ring them today but no one answers, I suppose they're on their Christmas break. I'll ring some time after Christmas and I won't put the phone down until I've got answers.

Reply 15

loz_fairy

8

The b/f has to wait 4 and a half months for a possibly cancerous lump to be removed

good ole nhs

Reply 16

happydinosaur

15

I would have had to wait nearly a year for radiosurgery. It's only done at one hospital in the country though so its understandable. Used health insurance to get the hopsital to do it 4 weeks after the referral at a weekend instead as I didn't want it to interfere with my summer exams. All depends on what hosptial trust and what its for. My MRI scans are booked well in advance so guess I don't really notice a waiting list for those, plus they are with a specialist neurological hospital so again that would probably have an effect on waiting times.

Reply 17

Titch89

14

loz_fairy

The b/f has to wait 4 and a half months for a possibly cancerous lump to be removed

good ole nhs

How rubbish.

I had to wait 2 and a half years just to get 5 teeth (thankfully they weren't rotten) removed. According to the hospital, it was related to me waiting to find out whether I had epilepsy - even though those results only took a month to come back. :rolleyes:

Reply 18

flump

luke88

No I haven't even had the preparatory treatment yet so I'm beginning to get rather worried. The whole process is going to take years and I'm nearly twenty now.
I think I remember them saying I've got have my wisdom teeth taken out too, so that's going add to more delays.

Also I remember months ago now the local primary care trust was going to cut 1,000 jobs from North Staffordshire hospital, again this doesn't help.

I've tried ring them today but no one answers, I suppose they're on their Christmas break. I'll ring some time after Christmas and I won't put the phone down until I've got answers.