A COUNCILLOR has been told that he will have to wait until next year for an urgent kidney operation amid concerns the number of patients waiting for NHS care could rise even further.
Lewes Town councillor Stephen Wischhusen, 74, was told in June that he needed an operation to have a stone in his right kidney removed.
He was preparing for surgery in mid-October when he received a letter telling him his procedure would now take place next year.
He said: “I was told that for safety’s sake the surgery should be done no later than October this year.
“Then I was told it would not be until next year.
“I phoned the hospital trust and was told that due to the shortage of radiographers, people like myself have to wait longer for the procedure as currently they only conduct one ureteroscopy per week.”
Healthwatch England has warned that many of those on the waiting list are struggling both physically and mentally.
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Cllr Wischhusen says he has been living in “uncertainty” since his referral.
He said: “At no point was I told when my operation is due or have been given a contact number to call if I needed support.
“Considering my medical history, I’m very worried about my health and the implications the delay to treatment can have.
“I feel like I’ve not been taken seriously by the NHS. I’ve been living in limbo, which has been very overwhelming and stressful – and totally unnecessary.
“There are lessons to be learnt for health services, but most importantly, we need proper funding to address the severe shortage of medical specialists in this country.”
A record 5.6 million people in England are waiting for care, according to the latest NHS figures.
But analysis from the Health Foundation shows there were 7.5 million fewer people referred for routine hospital care between January 2020 and July 2021 than would have been expected, based on numbers before the pandemic.
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While it is not clear whether all people will eventually come forward seeking help, the think tank warned that the NHS waiting list will “continue to grow” over the next few years.
Toby Salt, 42 from West Sussex, said he feels “abandoned” after waiting for more than 18 months for help with his arthritis.
Toby, a sculptor and father of four, was referred to a rheumatology specialist in March last year after he developed severe pain in multiple joints, including elbow and hips.
He is yet to receive any update as to when he will see a consultant.
“I’m considering going private, as I can’t live in pain any longer,” he said.
“Living in pain affected every aspect of my life.
“I feel mentally and physically exhausted – I can barely walk and take my children to school as pain is always worse in the morning.
“I’m a sculptor, so carving in wood is becoming unbearable at times.
“I have a backlog of orders I can’t fulfil due to the pain the condition is causing me at present.
“As I’ve been unsupported medically, and I don’t know how serious the illness is, I’m anxious that my business is at risk.
“I feel completely abandoned.”
A spokesman for the NHS in England said: “Caring for more than 450,000 seriously ill Covid patients has inevitably had a knock-on effect on non-urgent care and NHS staff have stepped up and made effective use of additional resources helping carry out millions more tests, checks, treatments and operations this summer compared to last.
“The NHS continues to urge anyone who needs the NHS to come forward through NHS 111 Online so that staff can help you with the best option for your care.”
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