Joy as pensioner finally has operation after 40-week wait

Marjorie Barratt, 90, was advised she needed the operation in September last year by an orthopaedic surgeon at Cannock Chase Hospital.

In May she was still waiting and her son, Martin, contacted the Express & Star angry at what he branded her criminal treatment.

Less than four weeks later his mother had gone under the knife and is now waiting to return to her Cannock home.

Martin, said: "I am delighted to say the operation went ahead on July 1 and it went very well.

"Mum is currently still in hospital waiting for a care package to be sorted so she has support when she is back home.

"She is in good health and in good spirits. I cannot praise the staff at the hospital enough. They have been very, very good."

Mrs Barratt, who previously lived in Tettenhall, first had problems with her hip following a knee replacement last year.

Following her referral on September 15 she was eventually scheduled to have the hip operation on March 21.

But just 10 days before the procedure was due to take place, it was cancelled.

Martin was told this was because there was insufficient staff to open the necessary ward at the hospital.

After being frustrated in his search for answers, Martin, who lives in Surrey, wrote to David Loughton, chief executive of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, and complained on May 18.

Martin believed the ultimate responsibility for his mother's treatment was with Mr Loughton.

He was disappointed not to receive a reply from him directly.

Following the story published by the Express & Star, in May, the trust's chief operating officer, Gwen Nuttall, said it would seek to minimise any further waiting.

Martin believes the publicity surrounding his mother's treatment may have helped bring about the operation.

He said: "I have been coming back most weekends to see mum and all our friends in the area have spoken about the story in the Express & Star. It really did have an impact and I believe it was instrumental in getting them to move forward with mum and the operation."

Earlier this month consulting firm Deloitte were appointed to investigate the management of Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals Trust following the New Cross whistleblower's report.

Gwen Nuttall, chief operating officer at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said:"The trust always strives to provide high quality, safe care for every one of our patients and it is always pleasing when patients have good outcomes."