A PENSIONER who faces a lengthy wait for a specialist's opinion about a hip replacement will be bed-ridden before long, her son-in-law fears.

In September the Argus featured the story of 77-year-old Dorothy Meats, of Pontllanfraith, after she was told she could wait up to three years just to see a consultant about a crumbling hip.

Since then the arthritis sufferer's condition has worsened considerably, according to Roger Robinson, who says his mother-in-law cannot now even board a bus.

Gwent Healthcare Trust advises that patients who believe their condition is getting worse may be able to have their appointments speeded up via their GP.

But Mr Robinson is so angry he is writing to prime minister Tony Blair on the issue.

"We still haven't heard from the hospital at all and, to be honest, we just don't know where to turn," he said.

"Dorothy has got a lot worse since September. Her mobility has got much, much worse. Whereas she could get on the bus before, she can't do that now.

"She even had to have the doctor called out to her one night because she was in so much pain.

"If she has to suffer that much pain until however long it takes for her to see somebody, then it is bound to have an effect on her.

"She will definitely be bedridden by the time she gets seen."

Last March, the maximum waiting-time in Gwent for orthopaedic patients to get a first outpatient appointment was three years.

The aim is to cut this to a maximum 18 months by the end of next March.

Currently, the maximum wait is down to about two years, though patients, as Newport Local Health Board was told at its meeting this week, are still receiving letters with the 36-month maximum on them.

A trust spokesman said he cannot comment on individual cases, but waiting-lists are managed by seeing all patients in accordance with their clinical priority.

"If a patient feels their condition is deteriorating or they are in excessive pain we would advise they see their GP.

"In some cases it may be possible to expedite the appointment," he said.