"Waiting, waiting, waiting, for a hip replacement at Royal Hobart Hospital."

A doctor in Melbourne told me I had a pulled muscle and so had all sorts of therapy. Moved to Tasmania and went to local doctor who immediately sent me to xray who said gee you must be in a lot of pain. It seemed there was no cartilage at all at the weight bearing part and bone was wearing. Doctor put me on a list to see the surgeon re hip replacement. 1 year later I got an appointment to see the surgeon. But I think the surgeon was too busy to see me so got his apprentice to see me who seemed to be running back and forward to see the surgeon. Finally said I needed a hip replacement so go to booking office to fill in details. I asked then re waiting time and told it was 2 years. Given a brochure from Hobart hospital which stated that they treat the public patients (me) same as private patients. Just after 2 years got a questionnaire to see if still wanted surgery. Sent it back saying yes, then got a reply saying I had been taken off the list. So rang and found that the reply had "got lost in the mail". Put back on list apparently in same spot and told list had blown out to 2 years 8months. Then government bought in two more surgeons to get through the long term patients and I was offered a spot. But as I live on my own I need family to come from interstate to help out. So said it was inconvenient for them at time (only given 10 days notice) booking clerk said would call back in six weeks to book me in. Well that was eight weeks ago and still no sign. Spoke to local GP who said it was a waste of time calling but do it anyway. So I called with no joy and it was like getting blood out of a stone and would not tell me anything. So here I am still waiting. All I get is a 6 monthly follow up at physio which is a total waste of time. I believe I was put on the list as Cat 2 but it has never been reviewed and with the joint locking up and pain unbearable I believe that if checked I would be cat 1. I am disgusted with the lack of treatment, that I am getting no follow ups no reviews and it feels like just sit on the list and shut up is the attitude.