Lindsey Uses Fast-Track Mainland 'Hack' To Dip Again Following Hip Replacement

An Isle of Wight resident learned a lesser known ‘hack’ from her GP and cut her hip replacement waiting time down from two years to just two weeks on the NHS.

Beach-lover, Lyndsey Pickering, 70, who runs a holiday cottage business on the Isle of Wight was unable to cope with her “agonising” hip pain and was using a walking stick for support – far removed from her usual active lifestyle of sea swimming and enjoying hilly cycling routes around the Island.

After visiting her local GP for advice, she was told the waiting time for an NHS hip replacement was up to two years on the Isle of Wight, but mentioned that if she didn’t mind going to the ‘mainland’ her surgery would likely be much sooner.

Within two weeks of her GP referral to Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton, which treats both NHS and private patients, she was astounded to be able to cross the Solent for an NHS appointment with a hip specialist.

Like many other Isle of Wight residents she knows, Lyndsey says she had “no idea” being treated by the NHS on the mainland was possible.

She said:

“I’m the sort of person who just gets on with things.

"I realised though that I couldn’t go on as I was so gladly accepted the mainland referral.

"Unbelievably an appointment came through about two weeks later for a consultation with surgeon, Mr Parker at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Southampton.

“On arrival at the hospital it was very clear this was a private setting and I actually checked I was in the right place!

"It was very comfortable in the waiting area with only a few patients waiting.

"I had two appointments prior to surgery and both were on time. I found all the staff relaxed and unhurried and very efficient.

"The consultant explained the procedure fully with reassurance and said I was good for surgery in about a month’s time.  I opted for a local anaesthetic as I heard recovery could be quicker.

"From her first appointment through to X-rays and surgery, Lindsey says it was a much faster route to access NHS surgery by opting for a mainland hospital.

“Altogether the whole waiting time was around three months. I was home a week before Christmas after 24 hours in hospital completely pain free.

"I enjoyed a very quick recovery time returning six weeks later for signing off - although I’m looked after by Practice Plus Group for a year should I have any future problems.

“The physio team seemed very pleased with my progress, as were Mr Parker and the nursing team who also remembered me when I had my review.”

Since her surgery, Lindsey has not looked back. She’s taken advantage of the balmy April weather on the Isle of Wight and has returned to her regular ‘sea dips’.

Practice Plus Group has hospitals located in Southampton and Portsmouth.

Each hospital treats private and NHS patients and has shorter than average waiting times for a range of conditions including hip and knee surgery (Southampton only), hernia, cataracts, endoscopy, urology and colorectal surgery.

Visit www.practiceplusgroup.com for more information.