"Hip Replacement"

My husband has a metal on metal hip that is leaking cobalt. It is eating his bone and muscle. The first replacement that caused this was done in 2014. In April 2017, the Consultant told my husband that he would need it taking out and replacing urgently. MRI scan followed and saw the Consultant at the end of July 2017. Although we thought we were already on the waiting list, apparently he didn’t go on it until then. This was 6 months ago. The urgent list is 6 months. I can’t feel any muscle in his leg at all. Last week his back went, due to not walking properly, because of the hip. I have emailed the Consultants secretary, fairly often, and both my husband and I have phoned the lady that deals with the waiting list. He still doesn’t have a date. I know there is a flu crisis, bed shortage and lots of urgent cases but please hurry up before there is no bone left to work with.

I have no complaints about the Consultant or staff, they are doing their best, but with every day, my husband is getting worse.

His surgery can only be done at Southampton General because it is so complicated, so we don’t have the luxury of being farmed out to the Spire or anywhere else. I have a friend who is a cabinet minister and she said she will mention how the crisis is effecting ordinary people. I don’t imagine it will do any good or help in any way, but fingers crossed!

If anyone from the hospital reads this, please, please get my husband a date for his surgery.

Thank you for reading this.

Lara