My surgeon has managed to figure out a way around this rule when it comes to Bariatric surgery.
I was told that from the first referral it would be (a max) of 18 weeks until all pre-op assessments were done. This included appointments and tests such as an endoscope, dietician, sleep apnoea, psychologist...
Then there would be a decision made on my case. Even though funding was already granted, they needed to decide as a multi-disciplinary team if I was a suitable candidate. Once this was made a referral would be made back to my Doctor and I would be referred back to the surgeon. It would be from that second appointment that the second 18 week rule came into practice.
My GP was outraged at this system as she told me that it cost the NHS and the practice money every time a referral was made! It is a pretty lousy way to get around achieving set targets as it ultimately costs the NHS more! Saying that, waiting the two lots of 18 weeks would still let me have the operation before a lot of people on this forum who have been waiting longer. So I am very lucky and extremely grateful!
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