NHS patient to go abroad

Mrs Whatley will be treated at the St Elisabeth Hospital, Rodalben

A 60-year-old osteoarthritis patient is to have NHS-funded treatment abroad under a new scheme.

Jackie Whatley will travel to southern Germany later this month for a knee replacement operation.

She has waited for two years for surgery because her local hospital has a lengthy waiting list.

It's terrible that people should have to wait so long in this country

Jackie Whatley

The government announced two months ago that NHS Trusts would be allowed to commission services from other European countries to ease problems in the UK.

The decision was prompted by a European Court of Justice ruling which allows patients to go abroad if they face unreasonable delays in their own country.

Mrs Whatley, from Mere, near Warminster in Wiltshire, referred by her GP for treatment with the South Wiltshire NHS Primary Care Trust 22 months ago.

Keyhole surgery

After initially undergoing keyhole surgery she was put on a waiting list for further surgery but was told she faced a wait of up to 12 months.

She says that she was initially refused permission to go abroad for surgery.

However, health bosses have now agreed to pay the £6,000 bill for her treatment at St Elisabeth Hospital in the town of Rodalben, near the French border.

Mrs Whatley and her husband Michael will pay for their own air fares and accommodation.

She told the Daily Mail: "It's terrible that people should have to wait so long in this country.

"I've had bad knees for about 14 years but about two years ago they got to the stage when I couldn't get out of the bath.

"I've been on crutches since April but even then I can only go so far. I just haven't got any quality of life at the moment."

South Wiltshire Primary Care Trust says it considered the urgency of Mrs Whatley's case and that the cost of the treatment was in line with NHS costs before making the decision.

Mrs Whatley is also due to have a second operation on her other knee at a later date.