The Scottish Mail on Sunday

IN AGONY, I MAY HAVE TO GO ABROAD

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THE pain in my hip was bad enough to keep me awake for two nights, writes Marcello Mega.

I was X-rayed at Leith Community Treatment Centre in October 2020. It took 11 months, in September 2021, before I got the results and the consultant who confirmed I needed a hip.

He said I might be near the top of his list by summer 2022 but I should check on progress. The news that emerged was bad – another two years minimum.

My choices: wait at least another two years; pay £16,000 to have the same surgeon operate on me privately; or pay half that sum to have surgery abroad.

I’ve asked NHS Lothian to send me my X-ray so I can share it with a foreign clinic should I choose that route.

I have set three deadlines for them to answer so I can make my choice. All three were missed. The latest reply told me I had to make a ‘subject access request’ to obtain my own X-rays.

 ?? ?? PAINFUL CHOICES: Marcello Mega
PAINFUL CHOICES: Marcello Mega

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