I TOTALLY sympathise and empathise with Mrs Sutton's plight with reference to her foot operation (February 6).

I too was in a similar position, my first appointment being on March 10 last year and I finally had the operation on December 15 - a bit more than six months later.

What made the wait worse was that, through an understanding work place, I would have been able to "down tools" and attend the hospital at a moment's notice. Neither did I take any holiday to ensure I was ready for the operation at any time.

I was also sent to Goole, only to find that the particular operation I needed wasn't available there, so back I had to go to York... and wait!

My annoyance is with the waiting time and the fact that we are consistently told that operations are being done within six months. Obviously, this is nowhere near the truth.

However, I would like to stress that the treatment I received was of the highest standard and all of the staff I came into contact with were wonderful and highly professional.

In the end, the operation was worth the wait.

E Welburn,

Address supplied.

Updated: 11:23 Saturday, February 11, 2006