Your views

Dear Sir,
It does seem that the Spanish National Health service is cutting back so much that it will soon force people to go private.
I am 85-years-old and have lived and worked on the island for over 27 years. Four years ago I had both my eyes operated on for cataracts and new lenses. This was done on the health service and was completely free. It was done very quickly and was 100% successful.
In May of this year I lost the feeling of the fingers on my right hand. My doctor diagnosed a common complaint called Carpal tunnel syndrome.
This is caused by the median nerve as it passes through the wrist under the carpel tunnel ligament. He said a small operation should cure the pins and needles that I was feeling in my fingers. I was told that I would be contacted by phone when an appointment would be made.
Four months went by with no phone call so I went back to see my doctor. He changed the Solicitud interconsulta form from normal to preferred, and told me that this should speed things up. Meanwhile the pins and needles continued to affect my right hand.
Another two months went by and still no appointment, so I went to see my doctor again. This time he sent me to a Traumatology specialist. Again I was told that I would receive a phone call for an appointment. This was on the 15 October 4 weeks ago! Still no call.
I do not have private insurance and enquired about the cost to have it done privately. I was flabbergasted when I was told the cost would be about 4,000 euros. This I can not afford, so I now have to continue to suffer from the pins and needles which keeps me awake at night for a call to say they can perform a small operation which will help me.
I wonder if this delay is due to the cut back on money to the health service.
Yours sincerely,