Norwich mum’s 18-month wait for urgent endometriosis surgery

Rachel Royall, 40, from Mile Cross, was put on a waiting list at the N&N Hospital after being diagnosed with endometriosis back in January. 

“I had tests done after being in a lot of stomach pain,” said the mum of three. 

Rachel was diagnosed with endometriosis back in January (Image: Rachel Royall)

“A specialist then told me in July that I would be put on a four-month waiting list for an MRI scan and a 12 to 18-month waiting list for urgent surgery.”

She was then handed morphine to help her cope with the pain.

“It’s absolutely disgusting,” Rachel continued.

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“I’m in agony every day.

“And I’ve even been in A&E three times with excruciating pain.”

Ms Royall, who is currently unable to work as a result of her health, has three children aged two, four and 17 – all of whom live at home with Rachel and her partner. 

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (Image: Nick Butcher)

And she says the endometriosis, which also prevents her from doing normal day-to-day activities, has left her “heartbroken” and “full of mother’s guilt”.

“My children are too young to understand,” she said.

“They ask why mummy can’t do the things she used to.

“This whole thing is having such a bad toll on my mental health.”

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Rachel’s desperation even pushed her to look into private healthcare. 

But the £77,000 fee for surgery – which would include the removal of her ovaries, the endometriosis and a hysterectomy – was beyond what she could afford. 

“I know there are people who are worse off than me,” she concluded. 

“But it’s scary. 

Chief nurse at NNUH, Nancy Fontaine (Image: Mike Page)

“I feel like I’ve been left in the unknown and I’m just having to live in agony.”

Prof Nancy Fontaine, chief nurse at the N&N, said: “We are very sorry to anyone waiting longer than expected for investigations and treatment.

“We continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic and we are prioritising cancer, the most urgent and longest waiting patients.

“Our teams are working hard to eliminate all 65-week waits for treatment by the end of March 2024 by carrying out additional theatre lists and clinics at evenings and weekends.”