THE plight of an elderly Kidderminster man who is selling off heirlooms to fund a vital hip operation is further proof that more elective surgery should be used, according to Wyre Forest MP.

Dr Richard Taylor says he is also concerned about the length of time that 72-year-old John Russell claims he has to wait for his hip replacement operation.

Mr Russell is selling his collection of antique radios to finance a private operation because he cannot face waiting for 15 to 18 months for the surgery.

The shopkeeper's left hip is already causing him pain.

Dr Taylor, of the independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern party, said it was unacceptable if Mr Russell had to wait more than 15 months for the operation.

"We are constantly assured that no one waits more than 15 months for hip replacement operations," he said.

"As far as I'm concerned, this is extra evidence that the county can't cope, and extra evidence for developing more in the way of elective surgery."

He said the county's health service could come under fire when it is assessed by the Commission for Health Improvement if it emerged that people were waiting for more than 15 months for such operations.

"It's a criticism of the NHS right over the country that people are waiting are long time for joint replacements and cardiac surgery," said Dr Taylor.

"Anyone waiting over six months for these operations should be operated on privately or abroad."

South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust's finance director, David Moon said, he could not discuss individual patient cases.

"In terms of waiting times, these should be down to 12 months by the end of November this year," he said.

"Waiting times should be improving, not getting worse, and this is predominately due to investment in making sure people get treated better."