"Hip Replacement Waiting Time"

Not so much what happened as what is not happening!

I am in Lothian area of Scotland and have been told I have to wait 40 weeks to see a consultant regarding a hip replacement.  I have no idea how long the wait for surgery after that might be if I am recommended for surgery. Longer in pain with decreasing mobility which has drastic consequences.  Consequences for quality of life, ability to earn a living and pay my mortgage. The painkillers are causing their own health problems, not to mention the problems caused by lack of mobility, and poor posture. 

In Two years of poor posture one could end up with worsening arthritis in other joints such as back and knee so this is just storing up huge consequences for an already overburdened health service. The other thing that does not measure up here is the huge amount of publicity about keeping fit - how many steps you do in a day etc - BUT with arthritis that ability is less and less so the  risk of  the other ailments and illnesses that they say are related to lack of exercise becomes much greater!!

To go to Europe is an option - smaller waiting lists. possible reimbursement, taking the strain from our health service.  Information about where to go is not easy to find. There is a department here which deals with the funding but cannot give any information about where one can go safely - surely a department having that information is necessary.

We need the chance to have these operations before its too late!