No Weight Loss Surgery in Northern Ireland
Friday, February 08, 2008
By Victoria O’Hara - Belfast Telegraph
An Ulster woman last night said she was left devastated after being told - on the very day of the life-changing surgery she had waited months for - that it was only performed in England.
The woman, who is from the Antrim area, had her bags packed ready to undergo bariatric surgery - an elaborate procedure designed to promote weight loss - in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast on Wednesday.
She had been preparing for almost four months after receiving a date for the operation in October.
Within 10 minutes of the hospital confirming there was a bed available she was left “stunned” when they rang back informing her a decision to cease bariatric surgery in Northern Ireland had been taken by health chiefs.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she was left in tears as she had been “mentally prepping herself” for the surgery for months.
“The night before I couldn’t sleep, I felt like a child on Christmas Eve I was so excited,” she said. “This was supposed to be my new life.”
She added: “My friend was here ready to take me to hospital, I had the house cleaned and sorted out legal affairs.
“I had gone off work, told my children, packed my suitcase and set aside 12 weeks to recover. “There was so much to arrange.”
The surgery will take place in Leeds within four to six weeks.
She said she is now worried about how she will cope having the procedure away from home.
“Now I’m going to have to fly to Leeds on my own. And my eldest child is worried about me being on my own.
“I have been gearing up to have this done over the last five years. I am just so disappointed and angry.
She added: “The surgeon has contacted me and said he was sorry about the situation.
“I am not sure if it is a budget issue or what, but this shouldn’t happen to people. If a decision had been taken earlier, why wasn’t I told? Psychologically, it has a big affect on a person.”
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust issued an apology.
“The hospital was directed, under guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, to discontinue the procedure,” a spokesman said.
“Unfortunately, this information was not communicated in time to the patient and we apologise for the inconvenience,” he added.
