Royal Cornwall Hospital - Waiting Lists

I am angry and frustrated having seen this local news article about waiting lists at RCHT on BBC Spotlight last Friday night - I haven't calmed down even a week later I remain as mad as hell. I hate unfairness and this is totally unfair to people throughout the county who are waiting for surgery.

I am currently on the waiting list for gall bladder surgery at RCHT. It is now a year since my GP (August 2010) referred me for investigations and 10 months since the consultant referred me for surgery. (18 week waiting lists appear to be a complete myth). It emerges that RCHT have been fined for patients that have been on their waiting list for more than 18 weeeks to prevent further fines they are treating new referrals within the 18 weeks target and not treating patients who have been on the list over 18 weeks because they have already been fined for their poor service.

I don't mind waiting my turn but I totally object to other people being treated first so that the Trust are not fined. I am so frustrated at the unfairness to patients throughout the county who have been waiting for long periods of time for treatment.

I am sure my story is a common one but I feel that all the hospital managers who made this decision need to understand the consequences of the Trust's decisions on real people rather than just financial implications for the Trust.


As a patient I don't care about the Trust's business plans, I don't care about foundation status, I don't care about the Trust being fined for exceeding waiting times.

All I want is to be treated fairly, to have my treatment and be well again. I am not asking for special treatment but I do resent other people newly referred having their surgery before me just so the Trust are not penalised.

This is what happens when the NHS is taken over by managers and accountants who care more about targets and money than people.