A second Dundee woman facing an “intolerable” years-long wait for life-changing treatment has come forward after being told there is no surgeon in Tayside available to carry out the procedure.
We reported earlier this week that Jane, whose name was changed to protect her anonymity, had been told she must return to the back of the queue after waiting more than eight years for surgery to address a vaginal prolapse, known as a fascial sling.
She described how she cried all day after learning she would need to wait up to 50 weeks just for an initial appointment with NHS Fife.
The health board confirmed it has a “considerable” backlog but refused to explain why Jane was placed on a routine waiting list given the long and complex history of her case.
It feels like our quality of life is of no consequence and we don’t matter.
The Courier has learned 12 women in Tayside are currently waiting for a fascial sling procedure but it is unclear how long they have all been waiting for the treatment.
The only surgeon in Tayside trained to do the procedure is currently signed off on long-term leave.
One woman told us she has already been waiting five years for the surgery and has now been told she will need to be referred “out of area”.
But she has not been informed which health board she will be sent to and only learned of the possible further lengthy delay through our reporting.
She said Jane’s story “could have been written about me”.
These women are losing years and years of living full and normal lives.
North East MSP Michael Marra
The NHS Tayside patient said: “I do appreciate that our condition is not life threatening but is very much life changing and my marriage has been affected too causing a huge amount of mental and physical upset.
“I wonder how many more women are being treated like this.
“It feels like our quality of life is of no consequence and we don’t matter.
“If you keep phoning to make enquiries, all that seems to happen is you get recalled to the clinic and go through the same repeated humiliating tests.
“I wish there was someone who could be held to account for this diabolical situation.”
The Broughty Ferry resident described how the condition has left her scared to leave the house and feeling humiliated at having to wear incontinence pads.
She added: “I’ve actually been referred now to the incontinence clinic so that I can get free pads.
“I don’t want free pads. I just want this fixed.”
Completely unacceptable
NHS Tayside said details about the location and waiting times of the referral will be confirmed after the patient says she is content to be sent outside of Tayside.
North East Labour MSP Michael Marra, who has been fighting Jane’s case, expressed his gratitude for the “bravery of this second woman who has come forward”.
He said: “We must be absolutely clear that was she is facing is completely unacceptable. This surgery must happen as soon as possible.
“These women are losing years and years of living full and normal lives. It is intolerable.
“At the moment there is no end in sight. With quality of life vastly reduced, women are being left feeling that they do not matter and the resulting toll on their mental health and relationships cannot be understated or dismissed.”
Mr Marra called on NHS Tayside and health secretary Michael Matheson to “commit to surgery for these women, by whatever means, within weeks and months rather than years.”
‘Urgently looking at options’
An NHS Tayside spokeswoman said: “We acknowledge that this situation is distressing for the women affected and we apologise for this.
“Our clinical team is urgently looking at options for these patients to ensure they receive their surgery as soon as possible and we will be in contact with them once plans are confirmed.”
The Scottish Government apologised for Jane’s experience and said it will “follow up with NHS Tayside as a matter of urgency”.
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