School Crossing Patroller, Derek Toms, 78, says until recent hernia surgery at a local surgical centre in Portsmouth, he was struggling to help locals cross the busy Milton Road as he was “creasing up in pain” on his shifts. Thankfully, after accessing a shorter surgery waiting time at the surgical centre opposite where he works, Derek is back on crossing patrol again twice a day!
“Everything was great with the surgery at my local Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre…the team there were fantastic.”
Derek Toms, hernia repair surgery patient at Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, St Mary’s Portsmouth
Having put up with increasing pain from his hernia for nearly four years, Derek finally decided to see his doctor when he could hardly walk and it was becoming impossible to work. He’d previously been put off going to see his GP about his hernia as he’d heard that there are often waiting lists of up to two years for hernia ops and thought there was probably little that could be done.
Derek, who’s been working as a Crossing Patroller for ten years along the same stretch of road in Portsmouth says, “I’m so glad that I went to see my GP in the end. When he saw the hernia he commented on how big it was and referred me for surgery immediately. I was quite lucky as I was referred on the NHS to Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre in St Mary’s close to where I work and was assured they had shorter waiting times than most hospitals locally. The consultant then discovered that I had a bit of an irregular heartbeat which prevented immediate surgery, so I was put on some medication for a couple of months. Had I not had this medical issue I would have been operated on within a few weeks there. When my heart issue was under control I was able to have the surgery I needed.
“I’m so glad to be back at work and pain-free. I love working and really enjoy my job. It gets me out twice a day for an hour and I have no plans to retire! Everything was great with the surgery at my local Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre and I’d definitely recommend others not to put up with hernia pain. The team there were fantastic.”
“I think this is such a lovely example of the work we do within our community and how surgery can make such a difference to someone’s life…It’s lovely to see him back helping everyone to cross the busy Milton Road safely!”
Kathy Lloyd, Hospital Director, Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, St Mary’s Portsmouth
Kathy Lloyd, Hospital Director, Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, St Mary’s Portsmouth, says: “I think this is such a lovely example of the work we do within our community and how surgery can make such a difference to someone’s life. Commonly, unless ruptured or strangulated, hernia treatment is often regarded as ‘non-essential’ and as a result has one of the longest surgery waiting times across the country on the NHS. With our quicker NHS and Private surgery waiting times, we were able to see Derek sooner compared to other hospitals in the area which is a fantastic outcome. It’s lovely to see him back helping everyone to cross the busy Milton Road safely!”
As an NHS patient in England people have a legal right to choose where to have their treatment. This includes private hospitals that welcome NHS patients, such as Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre, St Mary’s, Portsmouth. Those needing surgery or treatment should ask their GP for a referral to their chosen hospital or surgical centre.
