"Accident requiring surgery"

I visited A&E in September last year, my 21 year old son had a fall and hurt his knee. He was in agony and unable to walk. We were told the wait was 11hrs and he should go home and return next day. He returned at 7am next morning and was given an xray and a brace no pain killers but advised to take ibuprofen and see GP if any concerns. He was told he would be contacted by a virtual orthopaedic clinic. We were contacted by an orthopaedic nurse two days later who gave conflicting advice from hospital as they said don't take ibuprofen, they couldn't answer our questions we didn't know if it was best he put weight on it, or rest it, the nurse just kept repeating it would depend on how stable the knee was, but we didn't know what that meant. We came off phone, confused and frustrated as we had no idea what was happening.

My son attended a clinic appointment in Monklands a couple of weeks later, he was sent for MRI that day and had to attend physio that day also. There was a sense of panic and we could tell something was wrong. He was later told his knee would require surgery for a ACL injury.

My son is unable to walk any distance as the knee gives way randomly, he is a musician and was in his 3rd year at university, he has had to take a year our, give up his job and stay at home whilst he awaits surgery.

We have been so sympathetic to the situation going on in hospitals due to covid and staffing issues, so we have been patient and just awaiting a letter. However come March we had heard nothing, my son is still in pain, on regular medication, and is  unable to go about his life normally. So we thought we would give hospital a phone for update.  He was told he was a priority but also that he wasn't on the schedule which had been done until 21st March, so to give them a call back then. I explained we would take a cancellation, any day, any where as his life is basically on hold. It has been 6mths and I fear for his mental health as its been awful for him not being able to get on with life like a normal 21 year old.

I called back today, to be told he is not scheduled for surgery and they cannot give me an idea of when as surgeries as present are canceled once more. My son was devastated by this, he is hoping to return to university in September, return to work by the summer but it is looking less likely as time goes on. 

What made today worse is when I commented on a local group for ACL injuries I read that someone got their surgery 2 weeks ago, they only had their accident six weeks ago but apparently they called coordinator and explained how their daughter's schooling and mental health was being impacted and this was seen as a priority. Surely a young man who's life has been turned upside, who has been unable to continue his education and is unable to walk without pain or fear of falling should also be a priority.

From the start we have been messed around,from that first visit to a&e when we were advised to go home, to the virtual appointment that was unable to answer any of our questions. To now being told, that he has been on the waiting list the longest but there is no date for his surgery. How long will this continue?