Advance notice of surgery date

Hello AAMers, I'm most likely going to have a small surgery and I'm wondering how much notice you get before the actual date, as I travel a reasonable amount and want to know how I can plan this (I'm going private, covered by VHI, if it matters). Maybe it varies depending on surgeon? but I'd be curious to at least hear some anecdotal evidence if anyone can share. Thanks.

Surely your consultant is the best person to ask?

Depends on the procedure and how busy your consultant is. If you know the consultant's name you can ring the private hospital and ask to speak to So-and -So's Secretary. They will have that information.

ClubMan said:

Surely your consultant is the best person to ask?

Click to expand...

yeah, didn't get any response

You're going private for a reason.
I suggest you don't accept no response, and when you do get to speak to the Consultant's secretary seek a range of dates so that you can choose one suitable for your busy life.

Alternatively, if it's the case that you haven't yet even had the initial consultation with the Consultant you could opt to ask your GP to refer you to a different one.

sadie said:

If you know the consultant's name you can ring the private hospital and ask to speak to So-and -So's Secretary.

Click to expand...

We have dealt with 2 consultants recently who did not have a secretary of their own but appeared to use the equivalent of a call centre. Any time I rang I got a different person. I think it comes about where they work in few different places and probably find it the cheaper/easier option.

Husband had surgery on a Saturday with one of those consultants/surgeon. He is allocated theater time always on Saturdays he told us and can only confirm what time/date based on what he is allocated. He gives provisional date initially.

Not saying the surgeon mentioned above operates in this manner but it does appear to be something that is becoming more common.

Private is not as fast as it used to be.
In my experience over the last few years, you could wait 3/4 months to see a consultant privately. There would usually be further delays for any follow on procedures needed. I think many consultants, after reading the referral letter, do prioritise more urgent cases.
I take whatever appointment I am offered and make it work into my schedule rather than risk further delays by not being available.

My experience in the last few years is about 2 to 3 weeks waiting on a call and then the appointment would be about a month after that. If that didn't suit it was usually another few weeks before another slot was available.

Here is a piece of advice I wish i had in advance and its important.

1. Look up the consultant and secretary and look for an email address. Ring the number and hopefully you can leave a message, see 2.

2. Then send an email and say you need an early appointment, ie first in, if you don't you may get a will do when we are ready slot and be kept waiting a long time. The email is logged and you have a copy.

It completely depends on the surgeon but unless your surgery is urgent, you are very likely to be given weeks of notice. Surgeons book time in hospital theatres for private surgery and its a set schedule. The surgeon only has access to the theatre in their slot so you likely to be told that they only do surgery on Mondays or Tuesdays etc. and they typically book people in weeks in advance but as I saw, its very dependent on how busy the surgeon is.