"If it is not broken, don't mend it "

I am a 60 year old male who began with hip pain a couple of years ago, I thought it was just old age creeping in. It got worse so I visited my GP, who was very supportive, he referred me for an x ray which revealed I had severe osteoarthritis in my right hip. I commenced a trial period of pain control drugs but it soon became apparent that this was not satisfactory for me personally as I am very active in lots of ways.

I had discussed the situation with close friends, two of which had both had knee replacements at The Barlborough Centre and could not speak highly enough of the care they had received.

I decided that I would prefer to have a better quality of life now than later so I returned to my GP. and requested that I be referred to The Barlborough Cetre for assessment, which he very promptly did.

I attended all the necessary medical checks which were carried out in a very efficient an friendly manner.

I subsequently received a date for the surgery to be done, which was 10/03/2010.

From the initial, home visit, through to attending the Centre, having my operation and the after care both in the Centre and at home were to the highest standards.

This is why I feel I need to state on behalf of the people who pay the bills, that is joe public, if something works, more effort should be made to maintain it and not to change it.