A 77-YEAR-old woman says she faces two years of “absolute agony” after learning she must wait for urgent hip replacement surgery.

Ethel Barford, from Glyndyfrdwy, has been told by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) that she can expect to have her operation in two years “at the very earliest”.

Formerly an active walker and charity volunteer, Ms Barford had climbed Snowdon for the third time only months before her hip pain set in last summer and has been housebound ever since.

She said: “This has totally ruined my life. Every aspect of my life has been affected. I cannot even walk to the bus stop to go shopping or visit my grandchildren like I used to.

“I assumed that if you had something wrong you would receive treatment – not wait in absolute agony for more than two years. It is not good enough.”

The pensioner, who lives alone, says she is now on a mission to raise people’s awareness about the way she has been treated by the health board.

She enlisted the help of Clwyd South AM Ken Skates earlier this year and he has represented her in discussions with Gary Doherty, the health board’s chief executive.

In a letter received by Mr Skates in May, Mr Doherty said: “I regret it is highly unlikely that the health board will offer Ms Barford an admission date for surgical treatment until May 2020 at the very earliest.”

In April, the board approved a short to medium-term plan for orthopaedic services which set out to bring normal waiting times down to 36 months.

But even should the plan be executed, waiting times for hip replacement will remain the highest in Wales.

Ms Barford said: “I want to be a voice for all those people whose lives have been ruined by the failure of Betsi Cadwaladr. I think the people of Denbighshire should know.”

Mr Doherty said: “We have been in contact with Mrs Barford to discuss her concerns and apologise for the waiting time she is experiencing.

“We understand the current waiting times for orthopaedic procedures are too long and we are working hard to reduce them. Whilst waits for many orthopaedic patients have reduced significantly over the past three months, we are working with Welsh Government on a three-year plan to expand and improve these services across North Wales.”