Retired nurse still waiting for crucial operation
NICOLA FINDLAY
A retired East Kilbride nurse says he is still living in agony as he awaits a hip replacement.
We told you in December how Matthew Rodgers was given a provisional operating date of January 9 having already waited six months for the life-changing procedure.
The 73-year-old told the News how his “life had come to a halt” while he waited in agony almost two months past the 18week referral to treatment target time.
At the time Matthew was told how it could be a further NINE months until he got the surgery because the health board had missed its waiting time target for the operation.
He told us this week: “It turned out the date in January was for a diagnostic injection into the hip joint – not the actual op.”
Crippled with arthritis and in excruciating pain, he visited his GP in May and saw a consultant at the orthopaedic department at Wishaw General in August.
But after the case was highlighted by Tory MSP Graham Simpson and taken on by the News, Matthew was then told in December he had a provisional date for an operation of January 9.
He was due to see the consultant again on January 20 and had a pre-op meeting scheduled this week, saying he was “crossing his fingers” that the op itself would be soon.
Yet, as the New Year has come and gone, he still hasn’t been operated on.
Now, Matthew and his wife Anne have been left fearing how long it will actually take for him to get help.
Mr Simpson said: “Issues with the Scottish NHS stem past A&E waiting times.
“Matthew, a constituent that I visited in 2019 told me about his struggles with the healthcare system.
“He is in chronic pain and has yet to receive treatment. He was provided a provisional date for surgery for the beginning of January 2020 and yet, he continues to wait.
“Matthew, and others like him, deserve better from our NHS. The SNP has had 13 years to improve our NHS for patients and staff and this is the result – an utter disaster.”
Judith Park, NHS Lanarkshire acting director of acute services, apologised to Matthew for the length of time he has waited for his procedure.
It is the second apology she has offered him since the News reported on his case.
She added: “While we cannot discuss individual cases due to patient confidentiality, I can confirm that clinical staff have met with Mr Rodgers and explained the necessary set of tests which have to take place before surgery can be undertaken.”