A GWENT father and son have waited a total of 220 weeks between them to see consultants about their crippling osteoarthritis.

David Morgans, (pictured) 56, and his 84-year-old father John, both of Ynysddu, have suffered for years with the condition, which badly affects their knees and other joints.

David Morgans says he was told in May 2001 that he would have to wait a maximum of 90 weeks for an appointment with a consultant at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport. So far, he has waited for 104 weeks.

His father has been waiting even longer: 116 weeks since February 2001, to see a specialist.

David Morgans said: "I have got terrific pain in my hip, knees and ankle due to the osteoarthritis.

"At first I was told I would have to wait 90 weeks at the most. I was also told that if my condition worsened I should tell my doctor and they could speed things up. "It has worsened and I have told my GP and he has written to the Royal Gwent a number of times, but nothing has happened.

"It is now a lot more than 90 weeks and still I don't know when I will be seen. I just don't know what's happening.

"For years this condition has been getting worse, badly affecting my life and restricting what I can do."

Unfortunately, it is a case of like father, like son, as Mr Morgans senior has waited years to be seen, despite being 84-years-old and in constant pain.

David Morgans said: "My father has waited even longer than me. He suffers awful pain in the right knee due to the condition.

"It really restricts what he can do and it has really affected his quality of life. We just want to get treated so we can get on with our lives."

A spokesman for the Gwent NHS Trust said: "We are currently carrying out initiative clinics at the Royal Gwent Hospital and at Nevill Hall for patients who went on to our lists around the time both John and David Morgans did.

"On that basis, we anticipate that an appointment will be scheduled for them during the next two to three months."