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Mum's year-long wait for surgery on knee
AN ARTHRITIC woman has waited more than a year to see a specialist about a knee operation – despite shedding three stone to qualify for treatment.
AN ARTHRITIC woman has waited more than a year to see a specialist about a knee operation – despite shedding three stone to qualify for treatment.Sue Tams was put forward for surgery by her GP last July, but was refused an appointment with a consultant because she was considered too heavy at 18 stone.
But even though she slimmed down to the required 15 stone in just five months, she discovered last week she had not even put on the referral list to be seen about the operation.
And despite working through the pain barrier for several months, the mother-of-two has been forced to take sick leave because of the increasing agony in her joint.
Receptionist Ms Tams (57), of Central Avenue, in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, said: “I feel very bitter and angry towards the NHS, because I’ve been made to wait so long. When you are in pain 24/7 and are off work, it makes you even more angry.”
According to the NHS Peterborough Primary Care Trust, patients referred to hospital must first be assessed to determine if they are fit enough for surgical procedures.
People with obesity problems or addictions to alcohol or drugs are often told to address their health issues before they are considered for operations.
After losing the required weight in December last year, Ms Tams saw NHS Peterborough’s musculoskeletal assessment and treatment service (MATS) at Fitzwilliam Hospital in April.
Following a subsequent scan, she was told she would be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon, but she discovered last week she had not even been put on the waiting list.
But just hours after The Evening Telegraph contacted the trust, Ms Tams was finally given an appointment with a surgeon on July 28.
She was told an error had been made and was offered an apology.
NHS Peterborough does not comment on individual cases, but a spokesman said: “We are committed to ensuring that patients referred by a GP to a hospital or specialist treatment service are treated as soon as possible, and that treatments start within 18 weeks from the referral by the GP.
“Any patient referred for treatment will follow a set patient pathway to ensure the correct diagnostics and treatments are carried out.”
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Friday 25 May 2012
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