A 73-year-old Wexford man who is in agony with his leg awaiting a hip transplant, has spoken of his frustration with the HSE, two years after he first presented to medics.
Liam O’Gorman of Ballygeary, Kilrane, contacted The Echo saying he can’t carry on waiting for the transplant as the pain he is suffering is too much. His plea comes at a time when waiting lists for medical treatment in this country have reached a record high.
Mr. O’Gorman was informed that he would have the hip operation last summer, only for it to be delayed until prior to Christmas. This operation, was in turn, delayed until early this year.
“My wife rang last week and they still didn’t have a date for me. I just can’t carry on the way I have been. I haven’t slept a night since October,” Mr. O’Gorman said, fighting back tears.
Mr. O’Gorman has had to attend his G.P. on a number of occasions in an attempt to assuage the pain.
“I had to go the doctor this morning as the painkillers I was on weren’t strong enough. I first tried to get help two years ago and it was only last May when I was referred to KilcreeneHospital in Kilkenny for testing. They said I would have it done by the end of June. I rang up Kilkenny in July and they said I had been transferred to Waterford. Then they sent me to a fella in Wexford; I was being sent from Billy to Jack.”
Mr. O’Gorman heard nothing from the HSE and phoned WaterfordRegionalHospital in August and was informed there were three people ahead of him. He was told he would have his hip operation by Christmas.
“I heard nothing and only went for a check up in February. They said I would hear back within two weeks and it’s been four weeks now. My wife Marie rang up on Monday and they said there was no update.”
Mr. O’Gorman uses a walker to get around his home, but seldom ventures outside.
A spokesperson for the HSE said the organisation doesn’t comment on individual cases.
Fianna Fáil Cllr. Fergie Kehoe said it was “totally wrong” to have someone like Mr. O’Gorman waiting indefinitely and “in agony” for a routine operation.
For the full story see this week’s Wexford Echo newspaper.
