Patient Choice: changing lives
Like many retirees, 77 year old Sidney Eddolls found that his
active lifestyle was being affected by joint pain. Thanks to
Patient Choice, Sid has gained a new lease of life by accessing NHS
treatment at his local independent hospital.
A keen sportsman, Sid had always taken care of his health. He
played cricket and football in his younger days and still plays
table tennis at his local sports centre. Since retiring, Sid also
played golf frequently with his equally active wife Barbara.
A
father of two with five grandchildren, Sid and Barbara regularly
enjoyed walking holidays up until about five years ago when he
started having problems with his knees. Sid still enjoyed
travelling but found that his last holiday was seriously hindered
by having to constantly take pain killers.
A long-planned holiday to Australia had to be cancelled as Sid’s
knees deteriorated and, although on an NHS waiting list for knee
replacements, he had started to worry that his beloved hobbies were
a thing of the past. Then Barbara noticed a local newspaper advert
explaining that, through Patient Choice, it was possible to have
some NHS procedures in independent hospitals. After discussion with
his GP, Sid was referred to the nearby North Downs Hospital, part
of Ramsay Health Care UK, and was seen by Orthopaedic Consultant,
Paul Jairaj. Sid had his first knee replacement in January 2008,
and hasn’t looked back.
Sid comments: “Mr Jairaj explained the procedure and said that a
successful outcome would depend on three people - himself, as the
surgeon, the anaesthetist, and me! The treatment and care by my GP,
surgeon, and hospital staff was second to none and I had such a
good recovery I was able to go ahead and have my other knee
replacement just four months later. I use my exercise bike every
day to build up strength around my new joints, and I’ve been back
playing golf with Barbara since August. I feel like a new man and
am so grateful to the staff at North Downs Hospital for their
friendliness, reassurance and kindness – and to Patient Choice for
making this happen!”