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Three years waiting for op

by Alice McKeegan
22/ 4/2008

A ROCHDALE woman fears she could end up in a wheelchair after spending more than three years waiting to have a routine bunion operation.

Mary Butterworth, aged 67, struggles to walk and says she experiences constant pain. She has appealed to the NHS to finally end her suffering which began in March 2005.

The retired school cook believes that the delay in her treatment means she’s facing complicated surgery. She has written to John Saxby, the chief executive of Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust, in a bid to end the saga and determine why she’s waited longer than the government’s 18-week recommendation.

Mrs Butterworth, of Halifax Road, Hurstead, said: "It’s appalling that I’ve had to wait so long. I haven’t caused any fuss or shouted about my situation.If this is an example of waiting list times and patient care then government guidelines should be amended. My understanding was that you should wait no longer than 18 weeks from point of consultation and that I am within my rights to expect a decent level of care. None of which has happened.I am in constant pain, have to buy shoes that are sizes too big to accommodate my crooked toes and huge bunions."

The problems began when she was first referred by her GP in March 2005 and four months later was told by a specialist at Rochdale Infirmary that she needed a routine operation to remove the bunions.

She was advised that there was a lack of anaesthetists and she would be placed on a waiting list for surgery.

By 2007, she still hadn’t had any contact from the hospital and was later told that she wasn’t on a waiting list.

The problems and complications worsened throughout the year. In December 2007, her specialist took further x-rays as he was concerned about the amount of pain she was experiencing.

She now requires a complex procedure, meaning that her toes will have to be straightened and pinned, along with the removal of her bunions. She will also have to stay overnight in hospital but no date has been given for the surgery.

Her daughter Jayne O’Hara hopes that she will receive a satisfactory response and receive the operation she desperately requires on the NHS or within the private sector.

A spokesman for Pennine Acute Trust said: "A letter of complaint has been received from Mrs Butterworth. The matter will be investigated and a full response sent to her in due course in line with Trust policy."