KNEE OP WAIT GOES INTO EXTRA TIME
Ex-footballer told he’ll have to take the pain
AN EX-FOOTBALLER has been told he’ll have to wait more than a year for an appointment just to discuss having a knee replacement.
Thomas Kilpatrick, 80, is largely housebound due to the pain in his right knee.
His wife Elizabeth fears the retired pipe-fitter may not even live to attend the hospital appointment, which is likely to be around Christmas time.
Thomas – who suffers from vascular dementia – had his left knee replaced four years ago.
He called his doctor about the right knee in November and was told an appointment would take about three months.
But when Elizabeth, 74, called NHS Lothian earlier this month, she was shocked to hear it would take another 45 weeks.
She said: “I thought she said four to five weeks at first, but no, it was 45 weeks. This was an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon, not to get anything done.
“Thomas is 81 this year. He could be dead by the time this appointment comes round.
“He’s worked all his life, paid his taxes and I think it’s ridiculous to wait so long.”
The knee surgery would likely be carried out at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Retired office worker Elizabeth lives with Thomas in the city’s Trinity area. She said: “He can get around the house but he can’t walk more than five or 10 yards without being crippled by pain.
“I can take him out in the car but he spends most of the day sitting in a chair in the house.”
She added: “He played for Clydebank Amateurs and other teams along the west coast.
“We went out to Australia so he could play semi-professional for Weston Bears for six years.
“His knee problems are probably the aftermath of his playing career.
“If his knee was replaced, he would have some quality of life with the life he’s got left.”
NHS Lothian’s Jacquie Campbel l said: “I would apologise to Mr Kilpatrick and other patients who are waiting longer than they should.
“Work is under way to ensure more people are seen quickly by the right professional.”