A MAN who was told he needed a heart bypass more than two years ago is demanding to know why he never had the vital operation now that he is too ill for surgery.

Thomas Daly, from Clayton Brook, told the Citizen that instead of giving him a bypass, surgeons placed four 'stents' in his heart, pieces of metal to keep the arteries open.

But now the stents have worn the delicate heart tissue down to the extent that nothing can be grafted onto it, thus denying him the chance of a bypass.

Thomas, 65, has not even been told what the consequences of this could be.

He said: "I was told I needed the bypass two-and-a-half years ago. Three weeks ago they told me that I was too ill to have one ever!

"The stents cost around £2,000 each to put in. When I asked why I haven't been booked in for a bypass operation I was simply told 'we don't know'."

Thomas had the stents inserted at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where all the major heart surgery in the region takes place. His consultant there told him not to return for a 'pre-operation' appointment in February, because there was no point, there is no way he could have the surgery. But he has also been seen at the Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital, and Gary Roberts, assistant nursing director for Preston Acute and Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trusts, advised Thomas to keep the appointment.

He said: "I can tell you that Mr Daly has been examined and investigated extensively and undergone procedures to make his condition more comfortable. He had a follow-up meeting in December and other tests this year. We are waiting for him to see his consultant."

But Thomas argued: "I have been to Blackpool Victoria hospital five times for angiograms. I also went to Royal Preston Hospital before going to Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital.

"One doctor told me I have angina, another says I don't: but both told me to keep taking angina tablets. I have been back to the Victoria Hospital twice with chest pains.

"I have been told nothing and I have missed just one appointment in the two-and-a-half years, which I rearranged and attended later.

"I am furious. My wife and I have to live with this now. I don't even know if I could have heart attack."

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