AN Upton woman who would have had to wait eight months for NHS hospital treatment has advised people in a similar situation to travel abroad for private care.

Sue King, of London Lane, was told in last July that she had cysts on one of her kidneys that had to be removed.

While told they were probably benign, she was put on a priority waiting list for treatment at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

In October, Mrs King was told she would be able to see a surgeon in November. However, this was postponed and she was eventually told she would not be able to have the operation until mid to late February.

During this time, Mrs King says she was in pain and anxious to have the operation.

She also hoped to be better in time for her sister's wedding and a visit from her daughter, who lives in Canada and whom she had not seen for several years.

Mrs King and her partner Peter Taylor asked about private treatment at South Bank hospital, Worcester, and were told the operation would cost £5,100.

It was then Mr Taylor suggested she should travel to France, where the couple have a home, for private treatment.

The operation, to have one kidney completely removed, at St Gregoire Hospital in Rennes, was booked within days and carried out on January 4. It cost £2,600.

"I don't want to decry the NHS because they're there when you need them," said Mrs King. "But if people can afford to go over there, it's half the price of private care here and takes far less waiting time than the NHS.

"I just wanted to point out to other people who can afford it that it's an option."

A Bupa spokesman said the operation would have involved keyhole surgery and a seven night stay in hospital.

She said patients could see a consultant straight away if there was a problem after an operation in this country but this would be more difficult if they went abroad for treatment.