A SHORTAGE of specialist surgeons has been blamed for a seven-month delay to a teenager's vital heart operation.

Dean Flintoft, 16, of Barlby, near Selby, has seen the date for his crucial heart surgery put back four times, and says his life has been on hold during the wait.

Yesterday, the Evening Press reported that Dean was due to have surgery in June 2005, but is still waiting after Leeds General Infirmary delayed the operation.

Now bosses at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have revealed the wait is due to a shortage of cardiac surgeons and an increase in demand for cardiac surgeons.

They have recruited two more specialist doctors - double their existing team - to handle the extra demand.

A spokesman for the trust said: "We're extremely sorry for the wait Dean has had and fully understand his frustration.

"We fully appreciate that this uncertainty causes great anxiety for patients and are making every effort to ensure Dean is seen as quickly as possible."

Dean decided in early 2004 to have the operation - designed to improve the oxygen flow to his lower body - after he completed his GCSEs at Barlby High School last year.

Delays and a lack of communication from the hospital have left the family desperate for information and a date for the surgery.

He was told in August that Guy's Hospital in London could perform the operation, but doctors there refused to treat him because the procedure was so complex.

His mother Elaine, 46, a care assistant, said: "It would be nice just to be able to plan something.

"At the moment we can't plan anything more than a day in advance."

"I feel annoyed more than anything. I can understand they have emergency admissions, but a more detailed explanation would be better than them just telling us they have not got a date."

Dean, who studies IT at Selby College, was born with his organs back to front, a serious congenital heart problem, and a hole in his heart.

He had major operations when he 18 months and five years old to improve his fitness, and now plays football and cricket with his friends.

Dean's father, Kevin, 49, a plant machine operator, said: "It would be lovely if someone could communicate with us and tell us what the situation is.

"We are in the dark all the time.

"We cannot carry on waiting any longer.

"We are prepared to cross bridges as we come to them but he needs this operation and he wants it to be done in his peak condition."

A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said a third congenital cardiac surgeon had been hired for Leeds General Infirmary, and a specialist at Great Ormond Street, in London, will be operating for the trust at weekends.

Updated: 10:10 Wednesday, January 11, 2006