"The treatment we have received has been non-existent"

My wife was treated for 7 years in Antrim for Rheumatoid Arthritis, had acupuncture and various treatments, hip was being x-rayed on various occasions, eventually was being sent to Pain Clinic in Ballymena, waiting list 7 to 8 months. Could have been put on waiting list for hip joint waiting list 7 to 8 years but pain so severe she attended the Ulster Clinic and had operation, paid a lot of money. Arthritis and other complaints disappeared and op great success. Fell and broke other hip 1 year later, op on NHS in Royal but has suffered pain since.

Needed C.T. Scan first in Antrim, follow up scan offered in Altnagelvin or Cookstown but on complaint eventually C.T. carried out in Antrim.

Wife then developed Alzheimer's disease two years ago. N.H.S: no practical support given so have to pay consultant in Ulster Clinic. N.H.S doctor recommended a medication but consultant says to stop as can cause heart attack or strokes, so doctors differ which i feel puts patients at risk. If we lived in Belfast the consultant would be on the N.H.S free of charge but because we live in Larne we have to pay.

My own case: needed follow up x-ray, was offered Coleraine, then Ballymena then Antrim finally Whiteabbey. Seems to offer farthest away first - which could mean people of age cannot attend and are forgotten about.

We both have paid or National Insurance all our working lives and are still paying Income Tax but the treatment we have received has been non existent or made as difficult as possible for people in their late seventies.