Anyone from Devon??

[lydia86]

Just wondering of anyone here is from Devon and knows what the waiting times are like? X

 

[Huracaneal]

sorry east lancs here but im sure someone will come along and tell you but hi to you and the site is great and you meet likeminded people here to

 

[lornabatt]

Hi, I am from Devon. Re waiting times. I suppose it all depends what you are measuring. The hospital doing the surgery state that they will complete it within 18 weeks of receiving the go ahead of finding being granted and from what I have read by others who have had surgery in Devon, this does seem to be factual.

The road to getting the funding is a different issue, and I think may differ a bit depending on which part of Devon you are in. I am in Exeter. I was advised that I if I lost 5% of my body weight in six months they would request funding from the PCT. I managed to achieve this by the deadline set which was last October, but it them took until early February for the PCT to agree the funding.

I am meeting the surgical team at Taunton tomorrow and have been advised by them that provided all is well I will have the op within six weeks. Fingers crossed

 

[lydia86]

Wow fingers crossed hun. I am in Plymouth. I am meeting with my GP next week to discuss it so hopefully all will be well. I think 5% is what they ask here too x

 

[lornabatt]

Here in Exeter, the very start of the journey is the Dr referring you to the specialist weight management center at the hospital. It is only them that can make the referral to the PCT, not the Dr themselves.

Good luck with the dr's appointment and referal.

 

[tea towel]

I am in devon, through Exeter.
Has your GP accepted you to put you forward or is that what you are meeting for? The GP then refers you and then the hospital doctors then decide and ask you to lose the 5%. then they apply for funding and then would you go to Taunton for the op? They also assess you.
As lornabatt explained the final stages but you are probably looking at about 15 months I reckon.
Good luck with it and your GP visit. This is how it worked in Exeter.

 

[lydia86]

Thanks hun. My GP has given me a week to think about it and i'll give him my decision. Ive thought hard about it and spent hours researching and i do think its the best option for me. I was worried that Devon would come underthe '2 ywar weight management' rule so its a relief to hear what u have said as i am led to believe that devon is all the same. From what I can gather, Derriford Hospital in Plymouth now does the surgery?! Xx

 

[tea towel]

Oh that sounds good if you can do it in Plymouth, however sounds like you have a sensible GP given you time to think about it and support you.
I noticed on here people from Cornwall going to Taunton but think they were older postings.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
X

 

[lydia86]

Thankyou very much hun xx