FORMER Malvern mayor David Williams had to wait 13 months for a vital operation.

Mr Williams first saw his doctor in February 2005, when his artificial hip began causing him pain. But he was not given a date for an operation until earlier this month.

In January, another former mayor, Whinray Coates, lodged a complaint against Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, following the death of her husband.

Mr Williams, aged 71, said the pain sometimes kept him awake at night.

"It would go right through me. Sometimes it was so bad that I'd think life just wasn't worth living."

He had to wait until June for an appointment with his consultant. In August, after a bone scan, he was told his next appointment would not be until January this year.

After writing to the chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and to MP Sir Michael Spicer, the appointment was brought forward to September.

Mr Williams, of Greenfield Road, is pleased a date has now been fixed, but still angry it took so long.

"I honestly believe all the people there are working their socks off, but there's a history of lack of investment in the health service."

Trust spokesman Richard Haines said: "No patient should have to wait more than six months between referral and operation, but there can be circumstances in which the waiting time clock is stopped. It's not possible for me to comment on individual patients."

Mrs Coates made her complaint about neglect and lack of care after her husband died at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in November last year.

Sir Michael Spicer is pursuing health ministers over complaints about the hospital.

"The strategic health authority is investigating in response to questions I've asked in Parliament," said Sir Michael. "I want to get to the bottom of this and I'll continue to make a fuss."