"Opticians referral to a hospital"

Hi, I am looking for advice;

My father is 86 and at present is in a local care home following a second stroke.

We found his eyesight had deteriorated. We took him to a local optician to have his eyes tested and was found to have cataracts in both eyes. The optician said he would send a referral to Crosshouse hospital for surgery. We were informed that it could take 12 to 18 weeks. My father, whose only pleasures are reading a paper and watching television was very depressed re the wait but accepted that. This was the middle of September. Having heard nothing by the end of January I phoned the hospital only to be informed that they had no knowledge of my father or his "alleged" referral. To say I was shocked doesn't cover my feelings as my father had focussed his mind on this operation. I then phoned the optician to see what was happening. they assured me that they had indeed placed the referral and it was just a mix up?

2 days later I find that the optician had visited my father in the care home to assess his sight and made a referral to the hospital. To say my father was depressed after being told that it could be a further SIX months is an understatement. I fully understand mistakes can happen BUT I would have expected an apology of some kind to my father but nothing has been forthcoming.

Regardless though my question is can his referral be expedited in any way as he doesn't have that many years left therefore the sooner his eyes are sorted the sooner he will be able to enjoy life again.

Regards