Strabane man feels forgotten about by healthcare system

A STRABANE man who has been waiting for six years to have his gallbladder removed says he feels ‘completely forgotten’ and ‘let down’ by the healthcare system.

John Doherty  who has been in pain with his condition since 2016, believes his illness has been lost in the maelstrom of the Covid pandemic and he has been unable to get any updates on when he can have the much needed cholecystectomy.

Recounting his ordeal, John explains “I first began having issues with my gallbladder back in 2016. I went to the doctors about it, and it began a painful ordeal which still exists to this day. I’ve been in and out of hospital ever since with the problem. In 2018 I went into hospital in so much pain and I ended up taking sepsis. My family were told that it was serious but luckily, I managed to come through that.

“There are good days and bad days. When my gallbladder gets inflamed, I’m left in pain for between ten and 14 days,” he continued.

“Before Covid hit, I was in Altnagelvin three times in 2019 and in Enniskillen hospital in between those visits. After one stay in Altnagelvin I was asked by a doctor why I went to Enniskillen and I said, ‘that’s where I was told to go.’ It was like I was being shunted from pillar to post which was hugely frustrating.”

Finally, at the end of 2019 and after three years of living with the problem, John was finally told his gallbladder had to come out. The inflammation had become too much and so his doctor put John on a waiting list.

In March 2020 John was invited for a pre-op assessment only for the Covid pandemic to strike and, once that happened, John’s gallbladder operation was, in his eyes, ‘forgotten.’

“The last contact I had with the hospital regarding the operation was in 2020 when I was told the waiting list to have the gallbladder removed was two years. It’ll most likely be another two years now, if not more, before I can finally get some relief because Covid has set things back in the health service so much,” Mr Doherty explained.

Frustrating

“Last summer I had to go to the hospital a few times. Not once did I get to see a doctor about my condition. All they would give me was medication. It’s very frustrating when you’re in pain and can’t tell anyone about it who might be able to help you.

“Nurses at the hospital have been in touch with me about my Covid injections, I have both doses and my booster, but they haven’t spoken to me at all about my gallbladder.”

In a desperate attempt to gain some semblance of normality, John has even considered getting the treatment done privately. He travelled to a clinic in Ballykelly but was referred back to Altnagelvin as they could not provide the aftercare John would require following the procedure.

With Covid restrictions finally being lifted, John has now regained some hope that things will get back on track.

“I’m hopeful things may begin to get a bit easier with the restrictions now lifted, that the health service might start to get back to normality.

diligently

“I was told that I need to exercise to keep my weight down for the procedure and have been doing so diligently ever since 2020 and watching what I eat. I would love for the hospital to ring me up and just tell me what’s going on. I’m playing a painful waiting game and, if getting this procedure will improve my quality of life, I just want it (the gallbladder) out.”

A spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust said they were unable to comment on an individual patient’s care but apologised for current delays.