"waiting times for carpel tunnel release surgery"

I am concerned it is taking so long for me to get the treatment I need for my carpel tunnel operation.

I was referred to the consultant at the end of July 09 by my GP, and got a letter to choose and book a few weeks later. The hospital I wanted to go on ( L and D) was not on the list as I was moving house near to that hospital, so they had to send another letter. When I got this letter the first available appointment to see the consultant was Nov 09. I was referred for diagnostic tests and came back to see the consultant at the beginning of January 2010 when it was confirmed I need the carpel tunnel release operation. Although the consultant told me 'there is not a waiting list ' and I would be treated quickly , I was disappointed when I was told verbally by the booking office that my operation would not be before March. I have not had any further correspondence about an operation date.

The time from Gp referral to first consultant appointment was already 12 weeks, and a further 11 weeks have gone since then, making 23 weeks in total, and if I have an appointment the first week of March it will be 30 weeks. I am aware that otrthopaedics are not achieving the 18 week target set by the govenrment, but a wait of over 30 weeks is very disappointing.

I am in quite a lot of discomfort and have functional problems with my hands. I cannot plan my schedule at work because I do not know when the operation will be, and my family are also not able to make plans as they do not know when they will need to make themselves available to support me post-operatively. The operation itself i have been told only takes 15 minutes.

I feel quite frustrated as there does not seems to be any way of addressing this long delay.

I do not know where I can go to higglight this issue.