A great-grandfather has described NHS red tape as “crazy” after he was told he could wait almost a year for a hip replacement at Barnet General Hospital.

David Turner, of Arundel Drive, Borehamwood, was dismayed to hear the waiting time for the urgent surgery was 40 weeks, despite having been referred for treatment as a “priority”.

The 71-year-old fractured his hip four years ago when he fell from the roof of his home - but after an operation to have it repaired he was diagnosed with arthritis as a result of the accident.

His consultant at Barnet General Hospital told him he needed surgery in December and he received a letter a week later saying the maximum waiting time would be 18 weeks.

But when he received another letter telling him to call and book an appointment, he was horrified when a receptionist told him it could actually be another ten months before a date became available.

Mr Turner, who spent 38 years in the army, said: “It is really frustrating because nobody seems to know what is going on.

"All the while I am in pain. It is intolerable really.

“It is stressful because it has really impacted on my life. I am reasonably fit for my age but I struggle to walk the dogs any more and can’t walk long distances.

“Having to wait 40 weeks does not seem right to me at all. There’s no denying it could get worse.”

Mr Turner wrote a letter to the Wellhouse Lane hospital in March and only received a reply last week, in which hospital officials advised him he was on the waiting list to have the procedure by his doctor.

He was told he has now been put into a 'pool' and will be given a date as soon as one becomes available, regardless of which surgeon it is with.

His story echoes that of Janet Appleby, of Cranes Way, Borehamwood, who has been waiting for the same urgent operation at the hospital since December - but is no closer to being offered a date.

Mr Turner added: “It is a crazy system when nobody can even tell you when your appointment is going to be.

“It seems like a total lack of communication between hospital staff - all the while people are left in pain.”

Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust said: "We apologise for the delay in giving Mr turner an appointment and for any distress this may cause. We are reviewing our waiting list and we will contact Mr Tuner as soon as possible to let him know when he can expect his operation."