
It is extremely unpleasant being treated as a cash cow.
I had diagnostics for cataracts at Bath St on 18 December 2025. It seemed organised and the consultant, Mr Rajesh Deshmukh (RD), answered my questions and so did his practice manager Paula Jessup (PJ).
I subsequently asked for written information on the kind of lenses RD recommended and I had agreed to. They are EROV lenses. When I asked for it, PD's response was that RD had talked to me, I said I couldn't remmber everything and my eyes were dilated so I couldn't see information he showed me on his phone. The written information was not provided. in advance of the surgery. PJ directed me to RD's website. The information on the website writes briefly on product benefits, but doesn't explain how they work.
I had bilateral cataract surgery on 2 February at New Cavendish. St. Thgere was no explanation, written or verbal, of the process, eg pre-med, med, timing of procedure, rest afterwards. (There is a very brief outline in PD's email of timing). People came and did things to me as the 'animal for slaughter'.
Before the procedure, I was given a paper form to fill in for registration. I had already done this at Bath St. Surely the information is on the system. I needed to find my BUPA number and authorisation code again, GP Practice etc. I also had received a pre-procedure call when this information could have been checked etc.
For several days, I couldn't read the written instructions provided after the procedure. A nurse did discuss them however I hope it is understandable that I didn't remember all of them. Additionally I couldn't read the numbers on the eye drops packing for several days.
The second bullet point on the instructions says 'your vision will be blurry for the rest of the day and possibly the next week'> This is repeated as the 7th bullet point on the instructions on the second page. The instructions have not been prepared with this in mind.
On the first page, the instructions also says if you feel any pain or discomfort in the eyes etc please call the clinical helpline number above. The number is not on the document. On the second page, last bullet it says, '....If you vision (there is a typo it should say your vision) becomes significantly more blurred etc, please contact your consultant. On the phone PD, said if you think you have an infection go straight to A&E. All of this is unclear.
Overall the instructions are presented in an illogical and careless way.
The day after my surgery PD phoned around 6.30 pm to ask about how I was. I would suggest this is too late in the day for a recovering patient, and the instructions say ' we would like you to go home and take it easy'. She also said she would send a prescription for further drops to my GP practice. On Thursday, I phoned to let her know that the GP Practice said they haven't received them. Her response was, if you have received them, they have. Fortunately I had taken a printout of the prescription to my GP surgery and they logged it into the system and have actioned. I do not think the response from PD was helpful and it could be called defensive.
There appears to be no-one who takes responsibility for the patient and ensures that they are looked after.
Seen for:
Cataract Surgery