"My experience of the NHS recently"

In 2009 I had a MIR scan and was misdiagnosed by a Consultant. I had another MIR scan in November 2010 which found that I had spurs in my neck and I was loosing the use of my legs.

I was referred to another hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in April 2010 and was told that if I didn’t have an operation soon, I would loose the use of my legs altogether and become paralyzed. In mid September 2010 I has the operation on my neck and next day it was like a miracle, I could actually walk and the pain had gone from my legs. The Consultant Mr.Kamat operated and I can never thank him enough for what he has done and for the care the rest of the staff gave me.

I have seen Mr. Kamat to-day and I need another spinal operation lower on by back but although I have had to wait 6 months for my spine to settle down I have to go back onto the waiting list. I am in great pain and can only walk with difficulty and feel the 6 months I have waited should be part of my waiting time. I was told I would need the 2nd operation initially but as my neck was urgent they did this first. I think the NHS is a good service but sometimes it lets itself down on patient care re elderly patients. In my opinion you cannot learn nursing at University. Training on the wards is needed then when they have passed all exams then go to University for a degree.

The other thing is waiting times for treatment and operations I know people who have waited 9 - 12 months for operations and in the mean time their health has deteriorated. Why is it that people can win millions on the lottery and they give out to good causes but I personally feel some of this money could be donated to the Hospitals to help people get their treatment.

Unfortunately my Consultant Mr.Kamat is leaving JRH at Oxford and I would so like him to be able to perform my operation as I have full trust in him The other person who has supported me is my GP who for the last 3years has helped me as much as he can to cope with the pain, but that now is not working so well and I have had to give up everything. All my Volunteering I cannot now cope with and I want my life back please. I feel that there is too much red tape and that doctor’s hands are tied. My experience of Hospital treatment has been excellent and I am very happy with the way I have been treated, it is just the waiting time.