I was recently referred for a consultation for a minor surgery at a Private hospital (via the NHS) and was then offered the surgery. They said the wait would be around 8 months, which was fine.
I then got a letter saying it would be later this month, but I couldn't make that date so they cancelled and it was rearranged for August instead - great.
However in the pre-surgery guidance it says that I would likely need up to 3 weeks off work (a lot more than they originally mentioned and difficult with my current contracted work) for the surgery to heal. Also that it might take longer (up to 8 weeks) depending on various factors/infection.
I'm struggling to get in touch with the hospital to ask about the specifics and whether the recovery time is realistic or just in there as a worst-case. Three weeks would be hard to take off work around the timing of the surgery, and we have a young baby and given how she is at the moment, if I couldn't help properly for that long it would make things quite difficult at home - especially if the lack of sleep impacted my recovery.
So a few questions I was hoping someone might have some experience of...
1) Other than just googling, is there any points of contact in the NHS for discussing things ahead of a surgery? I guess my GP would only really have access to the general guidance which I can read online.
I have the surgeon's name now so maybe going via his secretary via email would be best (if that is a possible route).
2) What happens if I keep saying I can't make the date offered until it gets to a better time when not exhausted? Would it keep getting pushed back or would it eventually get cancelled?
I'm grateful that it has all moved so quickly, but the timing couldn't really be worse. A young teething baby, generally knackered and it would probably mean cancelling my first holiday of the year too (which is very much needed after a pretty crappy year).
It's not anything that needs doing urgently (could be this year, could be in 5 years) so I'm tempted to cancel it to avoid messing anyone around and try for a new referral next year, but it would be good to get a bit more information on how the system works before making a decision.
Any advice would be appreciated.