"Waiting almost 5 months is too long."

I was referred to Warrington hospital orthopaedics department with long standing spine problems. I had an MRI scan and a nerve conduction study within two weeks of my consultation which I thought was very good. After my scan I was told by the radiographer that scan results are live on the system within hours, so any delay will be with appointments, not waiting for results from diagnostic tests.

I was given an appointment for my follow up 12 weeks after my scan, this seemed long, but I have experienced this at the previous hospital I was seen at.

In the last week I received a letter to say my follow up appointment has been cancelled and that my appointment is now over 20 weeks from the date of my scan, so a further 8 weeks wait.

I feel this is an excessively long time to wait given that my pain is increasing, and I am not able to function properly.

I am too scared to contact PALS as having previously complained about wait times at another hospital, I was subsequently made to wait even longer for the next appointment. There seems little point in complaining as it seems to make things worse for yourself, as consultants might not be to blame for the wait times, but 'some' might take it personally if you complain. So I'm frightened to complain as it might mean I won't be considered for an operation.

I have always been respectful of everyone I have ever encountered in the NHS, and I am truly grateful for all the help I have received so far, I am sure most people feel the same. So please understand people don't complain to upset or belittle NHS staff and the services they receive.

I think I can speak for many people when I say this, we only get one life and it is so unbelievably precious. We all want the best quality of life we can possibly afford to have, and we all want to feel we are treated equally. I realise the NHS struggles to fund everything, but surely every patient should receive the same level of care and treatment or what is the point? Some of us fall through the cracks, whilst others have a smoother ride? I'm losing years trying to find someone in the NHS to help me with an operation. After trying everything else for over 5 years and everything failing to relieve my symptoms, I feel I have no other choice as I can't work, can't look after my home, can't enjoy hobbies I loved, I have lost my independence, and now cannot drive. My condition is worsening, I need help.

I'm suffering and can't bear the long wait to find out if someone can put my quality of life ahead of saving NHS funds.

Maybe when enough reviews/comments enter the system here, someone can look at these horrendous long waiting times and try and do something about it? Please try to put yourself in the shoes of someone far less fortunate than yourself regarding health, and image how you would feel when you desperately need help but are left 4 or 5 months waiting to get results and know if you will receive any help at all? It leaves you devastated I can tell you.