Spine surgery op delays leave man in constant pain

Jonathan Johnson from Seacroft is awaiting surgery for fusion in his spine

A man left waiting eight months for an "urgent and extensive" operation to correct spinal fusing says the delay has left him in "constant pain".

Jonathan Johnson, 35, from Seacroft in Leeds, was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis aged 17. The condition causes inflammation in the spine and bone fusion.

Mr Johnson, who can no longer lift his head and struggles to walk, said an operation planned in January had been cancelled due to doctors' strikes and he was yet to receive a new date.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said teams were "working hard to reduce waiting times and ensure everyone receives the specialist care they need in a safe and timely way".

Mr Johnson says he "can’t even look up" due to his condition

Mr Johnson told the BBC: "I don’t hardly sleep... constantly in pain, tired all the time.

"I can’t even drink out of a can, I have to have a straw, I can't tip my head back, I can’t even look up.

"If I’m able to stand up without losing my balance my head is constantly down.

"If I stand up you would think I was like an 85-year-old man."

Mr Johnson underwent pre-op assessments in December.

He was told an operation would follow in the new year – but his wife Donna, 33, said they were still waiting for a new surgery date.

Mrs Johnson said: "Come January we were told it was not happening because there was a six-day strike, then we were told February and then we've had no communication and nothing since then."

'Crushing into chest'

The couple fear further delays could cause serious complications and say Mr Johnson’s symptoms have worsened in the past year.

Mrs Johnson, who is caring for her husband while raising four children aged between three and 13, said life was very different last year.

She said: "We could do all sorts. We went on holiday and he could walk.

"He could stand for a good few hours or periods of time.

"He was taking nowhere near the amount of medication he takes now.

"His spine’s now crushing into his chest and obviously that's where your organs are. So, potentially, it could become dangerous if he doesn't have this operation."

The NHS trust said: "Like other NHS organisations across the country, our services continue to be very busy.

"All patients waiting for surgery are prioritised by clinical need and we know that some people wait longer than we would like.

"Preparing for surgery is complex and so we work closely with patients and their families to make sure treatment will be effective."

New health secretary Wes Streeting has ordered an independent investigation into NHS performance in England.

It came as the latest waiting time figures for the NHS showed the backlog for hospital care had gone up again, hitting 7.6 million.

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