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NHS Delays Force Father to Pay £8k for Crucial Surgery
24 Feb
Summary
- Man paid over £8,000 for private surgery due to NHS delays.
- Surgery was needed to treat severe back pain from herniated discs.
- Employer's sick pay expiring prompted the costly private option.
A father from Fleetwood, Lancashire, has incurred an £8,217 cost for private spinal surgery due to NHS waiting lists. David Umpleby, 40, has been unable to work since November 2025 because of severe back pain caused by two herniated discs.
Doctors advised surgery, but NHS wait times extended to at least April 2026. Facing the expiration of his employer's sick pay by April, Umpleby secured a loan to undergo the procedure on February 26 at a private facility with the same surgeon scheduled for his NHS operation.
Umpleby expressed feeling let down by the system, stating he is paying a substantial sum to retain his employment due to the delays. He noted the disparity in treatment based on location, highlighting the perceived unfairness of the situation.
He has already spent £5,000 on chiropractic care and relies on a cocktail of painkillers. His condition prevents him from driving or sitting for extended periods, both essential for his health and safety manager role. He is seeking an investigation into his case by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
