"lack of follow through, updates and cancelled operation"

Since the beginning of April I have been trying to get my daughters problem walking diagnosed and corrected.

I was firstly told by the first GP that the limp was just a toddler learning to walk and not to come back until she was over 18 months old. no examination was given at this time. I was not happy with this response so went to see another doctor who watched her walk and examined her and said that yes he believed there could be an issue and had her referred originally at the end of April. Upon speaking to the initial consultant we were told that we would be seeing he said that first thing to do would be to get an xray done to determine if her hip was out of the socket. We managed to get an appointment straight away and the results were received the following day. The consultant requested for the referral to be sent through to the LGI as an urgent referral as that was where an operation would be done as there are not the facilities at either Airedale or BRI.

At the end of May I received a phonecall to say that could I take my daughter in the next day as the consultant had requested to see her straight away.

At this appointment the Consultant confirmed her diagnosis and that it needed operating on. We were then given a date in July for the operation and advised that we should plan for this date.

I subsequently continued to chase this up in the weeks following this consultation as I hadn't heard anything only to be told that the consultant doesn't change dates when a date has been given and that the letter confirming the details of the day of her operation would be sent out 2 weeks before the operation. I was also told approx 2 weeks after the consultation that the secretary hadnt seen any paperwork to be passed down to the theatre team to book her in so that needed chasing.

I also didn't hear anything back regarding a blood screening as there is a history of a mild bleeding disorder in the family that was mentioned to the consultant in May.

we got to the 2 weeks before the given date and no letter had been received, so I started chasing. it took a further week for me to be told that my daughters operation had been cancelled due to "clinical reasons" and that she now wont been seen until September at the earliest.

They forget that families have to sort out changes to work and give notice for childcare and due to this cancellation have left us in a position where I have 2 children without childcare over the summer holidays whilst both parents have to work full-time or not work and take unpaid leave.

I have made a number of complaints regarding this and have had confirmation that the blood screening had not been organised. I truly believe that this operation has been cancelled due to the failure to follow procedures and action the booking in correctly not due to "clinical needs" as they keep trying to tell me. I am still waiting on an update and satisfactory response and confirmed provision of a new date.

As a family we are now in limbo unable to organise or plan anything. The more my young daughter is left to walk with a limp, the more you can see it getting harder for her to walk and keep her balance. You can also see her back twisting due to her trying to remain balanced. I'm being told that that her case isn't urgent enough to book her back in before September, but it was urgent enough for them to request us to attend a consultation with one days notice and for them to give a date then. My daughter keeps asking to go on a potty - I would gladly start to potty train her however once she is in a cast it will be difficult for her to use a potty. The delay in this operation is now going to impact her development.

This whole experience has left me frustrated and extremely disappointed with the treatment and continuity of communication received so far.