A FORMER soldier who has been waiting for an operation for nearly two-and-a-half years today spoke of his optimism that he will soon receive the key hole surgery he desperately needs.

A FORMER soldier who has been waiting for an operation for nearly two-and-a-half years today spoke of his optimism that he will soon receive the key hole surgery he desperately needs.

As reported in The Evening Star, William Stevens has not been able to work since February 2004 after an injury sustained to his shoulders nearly three years earlier flared up.

The married 61-year-old was forced to quit his job as a lorry driver and warned not to work until he underwent surgery to repair his severely damaged tendons.

However, Mr Stevens, of Violet Close, Ipswich, has suffered a string of delays after consultants raised concerns over his heart.

He had fears that he would lose his home because he could not maintain mortgage repayments.

But now his case has moved forward after Ipswich Hospital contacted Mr Stevens to offer him an appointment next month for an angiogram - a detailed X-ray of the heart - which will determine if there are any reasons why he can not go under the knife.

He said: “After the story appeared in the Star, I got a letter from the hospital offering me two appointments - one was for a pre-check on July 4 and the second was for the angiogram on July 14, which is an all-day job.

“Once the angiogram has been done, we will know for certain if there is any reason why I can't have the operation.

“I was really pleased to get the appointment, it was such a relief. Hopefully, it will mean I can have the operation and then I can get on with my life.”

The maximum waiting time at Ipswich Hospital is six months and hospital figures show there are presently no patients who have been waiting for more than that period.

However there are some patients who have been suspended from the list for different reasons, one of which is an operation being deemed a risk.

Weblink: www.ipswichhospital.nhs.uk