Helensburgh man 'trapped in own home' after NHS cancel reconstructive surgery multiple times

A patient waiting for “lifeline” surgery to reconstruct his arm says he has “lost faith and trust in the NHS” after his operation was cancelled numerous times.

Colin Fitzpatrick, from Helensburgh, says he is living with constant uncertainty due his operation being pushed back and is “unable to move forward” with his life.

The 51-year-old, who has plans to set up his own business, suffered a life-altering arm injury in 2023.

Now, he is struggling with severe pain and the powerful medication required to manage it, leaving him feeling trapped in his own home.

He told STV News: “Daily life is limited. I feel as if I am caged in this house because my medication only allows me a specific amount of time of being mobile without being in any pain. Every time I go out, the clock is ticking.

“I’m left with a hand that doesn’t operate properly. It does not have the strength and I am on medication that I’ll need to be on for the rest of my life.

“I can’t move forward. I can’t plan for the future. Everything is on hold.”

Fighting fit: Colin says his life has changed dramatically as he manages chronic pain. STV News

Colin has undergone over ten procedures at Glasgow Royal Infirmary leading up to critical surgery that could restore function to his arm and hand.

The planned operation would involve transferring muscle from his leg and back into his forearm to reconnect the tendons. However, after several cancellations, it is now indefinitely postponed.

Colin says his surgery was first scheduled for last June, and has officially been pushed back five times over the following seven months.

He was told the most recent date was cancelled due to a shortage of specialist staff and theatre space available to the plastic surgery department of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

A letter from his consultant explained that bed shortages, attributed to a “seasonal surge” in respiratory infections, have left only cancer patients being admitted for elective procedures.

Colin says NHS chiefs are ‘holding his life in their hands’ and has urgently pleaded for the issue to be resolved.

He added: “It is gut-wrenching. The words cannot describe what having your life put on hold by someone else feels like.

“Having a date would absolutely make a difference. It will be a huge relief. It would be the start of my future.

“I’ve had reassurances from my surgeon that things will get sorted, but after five cancellations, my faith and trust in them is gone.”

Once a “super fit extrovert”, Colin says his confidence has been left shattered.

As he waits, Colin is experiencing debilitating symptoms which has made it increasingly difficult for him to perform basic tasks.

“The pins and needles feeling in my arms has got worse. I was in so much pain last week, I had to lie in bed unable to do anything.

“To me, to have this current situation as my future does not bear thinking about.”

Colin carries out exercises to improve the strength in his hand. STV News

Colin acknowledges the surgery will be “intense” and the recovery period could take up to four years. But he is hopeful it will help him rebuild his life and plan for the future.

He said: “I’ve been told about the pain that I am going to be going through and I have been made aware it might not work. But I was actually looking forward to it because I saw it as positive pain.

“This was the last thing to get me over the finish line.

“Everything was falling into place. But at the moment, I am struggling to believe that it is going to happen. I worry I’ll be forgotten about.”

Health secretary Neil Gray said the case has been raised with him but it “wouldn’t be appropriate” to comment on individual cases.

He said: “It’s obviously a serious situation. I know officials are well aware of the circumstances and apologise for the fact that we are in a situation where it has taken too long to resolve.

“In general terms, we are investing and making sure we can reduce waiting times. £30m has been invested this year has seen us deliver 12,000 inpatient procedures, 12,000 estimated outpatients, and 40,000 diagnostics.

“The budget we have committed to for next year we believe will deliver an additional 150,000 procedures in 2025/2026, will will make sure we can help reduce waiting times for patients and ensure cases like Mr Fitzpatrick’s don’t happen again.”

Dr Claire Harrow, deputy medical director for acute services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “We would like to apologise to this patient for the delays and cancellations he has faced, and for the distress this caused.

“This is a very complex case that requires the involvement of a large team of multi-specialist staff and extensive work is ongoing to ensure the clinical team necessary is available to support this surgery going ahead.

“There have been cancellations for clinical reasons, and due to winter bed pressures which have meant patients with the most urgent need, including those with cancer, have been prioritised.

“As is the case across the country, NHSGGC is facing pressure on many of its services as a result of winter challenges and as we continue to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Our teams are working hard to find a suitable time for this patient’s surgery to be rebooked when the clinical support he requires is available.”