"Removed from wait list - knee replacement - no explanation"

My dad was delighted to hear his long-awaited knee replacement would be possible at the National Orthopaedic Treatment Service in Kirkcaldy. Following initial positive communication, everything went quiet. He phoned and discovered he's been removed from the wait list - no reason given... and a promise that a letter would follow. No letter has arrived. He has followed up with phone calls, but each time, the promised return phone call has not happened. We are all devastated - suggesting an intervention will occur soon, then not being clear why it will not be delivered is poor service and actually seems cruel.

Our home health board in NHS Lothian have no information either, as Dad is a Lothian resident, we followed up with the local patient experience team. They have been responsive. I am awaiting a call back from NHS Fife patient services, who might be able to get answers to our questions - but several messages later, I have yet to get a return call - it looks like staff respond to posts here, so trying this.....

NHS Scotland should consider how to ensure their nationalised services are managed and make it clear to out-of-area patients who is the responsible party for complaints - another example of poor integration.