"The impact of long waiting lists"

I am writing not about a particular appointment or hospital but to highlight to hospitals the impact of the long waiting lists.   It's not the hospital that I'm criticising, it's the system.  The impact is more pronounced on those of us who live alone and don't have family nearby to give any assistance.

I have been waiting almost 2 years for hip surgery. In that time the pain has got worse and mobility deteriorated. It has also affected so many areas of what was a busy active life.

- I have not been able to get to a dentist. My teeth are crumbling but

I'm not able to get into a taxi nor would I be able to get up the

steps to the Dental Suite, let alone sit in a dentist chair long

enough to be treated.

- I have not been able to get to my optician. I have cataracts forming

and need either an operation or new prescription glasses.

- I have to pay to have a hairdresser come out to cut my hair.

- I have to pay for a podiatrist to come out to cut my toenails

- My car is sitting in the road deteriorating

- My garden is overgrown and it is impossible to find a gardener that

a lone pensioner can afford.

- I have to buy all shopping on line which is always more expensive.

- I have to ask a neighbour to take any post

The impact of the stress and frustration of being unnecessarily housebound and alone because, in my opinion,  the NHS has been sold off by the back door to the private sector.   If I had been able to afford thousands of pounds I could have had surgery within weeks of referral.

As for local doctors surgery, you are first vetted by a receptionist who seems determined to block any contact with either a doctor or nurse. If you are fortunate enough to speak to a doctor, you never get the same one twice. They have never had time to read your notes so it's the same explanations over again. They never do a home visit, if necessary it's a District Nurse at best. This does not appear to be just the surgery I am registered with; friends are telling me the same story about other surgeries.

Why is it that those of us who have worked all our lives, paid all necessary contributions, seem to be left at the bottom of the pile when it comes to treatment?