To ask for NHS advice for my lovely Dad?

[goldwrapped]

Hello lovelies
I'm hoping someone will be able to help.
My amazing, patient, non-complaining Dad has been suffering from an arthritic shoulder for some time.
He's done the usual NHS route. Years of referrals back and forth between the GP, physio and the hospital. Good days and bad days but deteriorating. Finally agreed that it was impacting on his life to such a degree that he should have surgery. He can now only drive short distances, can't do all the things he was so looking forward to doing when he retired.
Saw a surgeon in December. 3 month wait, 3 month recuperating for a shoulder replacement. Fantastic.
Phoned the surgeon last week to ask for an update. He was told he would have to wait a minimum of 9 months, maybe more, can't really say.
AIBU to think this isn't acceptable? Can anyone suggest anything we can do to improve this situation? Is there anyone we can speak to?
It's making him (and by default my Mum, and me) really sad.
Thanks everyone

Great news for you. I hope your dad's OP goes well. I just found this thread,and am going to use the advice in it, as we are in a similar situation with my DF, who is in huge pain and very depressed. He too has had the whole NHS run around with appointment after appointment of useless physio so far.

Good luck @ShovingLeopard.
I got the information re the 18 week wait from the CCG first, which I then took to the GP. When the GP said they absolutely couldn't re-refer, I gave the surgery and the CCG each other's contact details and asked them to decide between them who was lying. We got the new appointment within a couple of days.
Nobody liked emails, they all wanted to talk on the phone but I refused so I had written evidence.
I also contacted my Dads MP, who was absolutely useless, but I'd like to think telling people that an MP is backing you might help oil the wheels a little.

Thanks gold, that's really helpful. I admire your tenacity and determination. Excellent stuff! Let us know how your dad is tomorrow.

Hi - good luck to your dad - just to say my mum has had both shoulders replaced - first when she was 87 and second when she was 89 - was in ridiculous pain beforehand but now both healed very well indeed

Fantastic news, glad I could help. Hope the op goes well and your dad recovers well.

Thanks for your lovely messages.
Dad is home and the operation went better than everyone expected.
The surgeon told him it was the first time he'd ever heard of anyone being re-referred, and he couldn't understand why more people didn't request it.
It's rubbish that you have to fight for your rights but at least it has been worth it.

Goldwrapped, thats fab for your dad, but have you written to your MP? Unless we vote with our ballot papers then we are colluding in this being ok...

Great news! Here's to a speedy recovery and a new lease of life

Criikey. What a fabulous story. Yay!!!!! Mumsnet! Speedy recovery for dad 😊