Blackburn veteran 'let down' by seven-year wait for op
4:00pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News
By Catherine Pye, Health reporter
Jack Bland
A SECOND World War veteran said he feels ‘incredibly let down’ by the NHS after waiting almost seven years for a back operation.
Jack Bland, 85, who lost the lower part of his right leg after being shot in Northern Italy at the end of the war, suffered a lower vertabrae injury in 2006 after falling over a step.
He was confined to a wheelchair for four months, and ever since has been asking for an operation on a painful small disc bulge at the lower level on his left side.
Mr Bland, of Charterhouse Place, Blackburn, said: “The bulge means I can’t walk very far and I can’t stand for any length of time, or else I start to feel dizzy. With already having my right leg amputated, it’s a double whammy.
“At first they just tried to give me painkillers, but MRI scans showed I needed an operation.
“I’ve been asking for this for six years and 10 months, and since my latest scan in June, the hospital has been trying to get a pre-operation meeting arranged.
“Now every time I get an appointment to go for the meeting, I get a phone call telling me it’s been cancelled and they never tell me why. I feel incredibly let down.
“The politicans are always saying the NHS is free, but it’s not, we all pay for it in taxes. I’ve served my country and paid taxes all my life, and I get nothing but my war pension.”
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, runs the Royal Preston Hospital, which is dealing with Mr Bland’s case.
Karen Partington, chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We offer our sincere apologies to Mr Bland for delays in his care.
“We always aim to provide the highest standards of services and take seriously any concerns patients have about their experiences.
“We will contact Mr Bland directly to assure him that we are prioritising his treatment.”
Mr Bland has spoken to Blackburn MP Jack Straw about the problem. Mr Straw said: “I am really concerned about this and I am taking it up with the hospital.”
Comments(15)
tombhoy
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5:08pm Wed 31 Oct 12
lancashire-lad
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5:26pm Wed 31 Oct 12
lancashire-lad
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5:26pm Wed 31 Oct 12
2 for 5p
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6:57pm Wed 31 Oct 12
ste.g
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6:58pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Rumpole
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7:41pm Wed 31 Oct 12
As a veteran of WW2, Mr. Blands treatment should have been a priority from day1, no waiting list, no excuses!
I do actually agree with you that these multinationals should be hammered for more tax but until people stand up in numbers and demand it like they did in Iceland it will never happen regardless of whichever government is in power.
Mikeee47
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10:09pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Black Car Guy.
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10:56pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Major Tom
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11:36pm Wed 31 Oct 12
kenbro
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1:11am Thu 1 Nov 12
2 for 5p
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5:10am Thu 1 Nov 12
Mikeee47 wrote:Couple of points
I hope your proud of yourselves NHS / PCT. Next we'll be teaching in schools the 2nd WW didnt happen just like the holoucast didnt. WTF??? This guy fought for everything that is that England (used to) stand for. Typical of todays society Govt' and the rest.. let our senior citizens Rot, well let me tell you if it wasn't for people like this Veteran you would be speaking Nazi german. This guy should be priority YOUR A DISGRACE
Since when has there been a language called Nazi Germany .
What is the connection between this man waiting for a operation and teaching ww2 in schools.
The last points do you really think that if someone was once in the army they should be made a priority as far. As waiting lists are concerned .
Thankfully the NHS doesnt work like that you wait the same as everyone else regardless of who you are.
BIG BOSS
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8:48am Thu 1 Nov 12
Mikeee47
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3:04pm Thu 1 Nov 12
2 for 5p wrote:maybe if you grew up in the war you would understand, but from your comment your far too young AND immature to be educated. and not worthy of my time or the poor guy who had to wait.
Mikeee47 wrote:Couple of points
I hope your proud of yourselves NHS / PCT. Next we'll be teaching in schools the 2nd WW didnt happen just like the holoucast didnt. WTF??? This guy fought for everything that is that England (used to) stand for. Typical of todays society Govt' and the rest.. let our senior citizens Rot, well let me tell you if it wasn't for people like this Veteran you would be speaking Nazi german. This guy should be priority YOUR A DISGRACE
Since when has there been a language called Nazi Germany .
What is the connection between this man waiting for a operation and teaching ww2 in schools.
The last points do you really think that if someone was once in the army they should be made a priority as far. As waiting lists are concerned .
Thankfully the NHS doesnt work like that you wait the same as everyone else regardless of who you are.
2 for 5p
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7:30pm Thu 1 Nov 12
Mikeee47 wrote:Oh yes sorry I might when I get a bit more educated I could go down to college and try to enrol in Nazi german lessons.
2 for 5p wrote:maybe if you grew up in the war you would understand, but from your comment your far too young AND immature to be educated. and not worthy of my time or the poor guy who had to wait.
Mikeee47 wrote:Couple of points
I hope your proud of yourselves NHS / PCT. Next we'll be teaching in schools the 2nd WW didnt happen just like the holoucast didnt. WTF??? This guy fought for everything that is that England (used to) stand for. Typical of todays society Govt' and the rest.. let our senior citizens Rot, well let me tell you if it wasn't for people like this Veteran you would be speaking Nazi german. This guy should be priority YOUR A DISGRACE
Since when has there been a language called Nazi Germany .
What is the connection between this man waiting for a operation and teaching ww2 in schools.
The last points do you really think that if someone was once in the army they should be made a priority as far. As waiting lists are concerned .
Thankfully the NHS doesnt work like that you wait the same as everyone else regardless of who you are.
mavrick says...
4:40pm Wed 31 Oct 12