"Extremely long waiting lists just for consultation"

I have been waiting to see a specialist consultant here to have back surgery. The wait just for a consultation appointment I have been told will be a minimum of eleven months - I got referred in January and they cannot see me until at least November/ December. This is just for an appointment with the surgeon, never mind the waiting list for actual surgery. Previously I have waited over two years for "conservative options" to be explored first which were a referral to physio which never happened - a referral to hydrotherapy which never happened - a referral for spinal injections which also never happened - so for two years I have been in agony waiting for an operation while apparently seeing if it can be treated conservatively first. I've now been told yes I do need surgery but I have to wait eleven months for an appointment with the surgeon and I have no idea how long the waiting list for the actual surgery will be beyond this. So much for the NHS aiming for people to be seen within 12 weeks of a referral. In the meantime it has been nearly 3 years of relentless pain now and no treatment for that pain.