"Wait time to see orthopaedic surgeon"

I had a referral to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon for a Shoulder Injury, the referral was received and I was put as a Category 3 (12+ month wait list), this is actually the 2nd referral to see the same Surgeon from 3yrs ago (same injury).

I finally got to see the surgeon for a consult which I then was requested to get an MRI and X-ray, I had to wait almost a month to then be able to see the surgeon for the results and plan of action. So it was discussed that Surgery would be the only option now.

This is where I am now at a point of complete frustration because once again I have been put as a Category 3 on the surgery wait list.

What I cannot understand is why after already waiting over 12mnths (in absolute agony) am I again having to wait a minimum of yet another 3mths to have the surgery done?

I have been having Physio on a weekly/fortnightly basis (for over 12mnths already) to try and work out a way that could help relieve the pain + discomfort, find a way of me trying to go about my daily life by altering pretty much everything I do.

I work outdoors and this injury has impacted my ability to be able to carry on working at full capacity.

From this shoulder injury I am now also dealing with tennis elbow and nerve pain all in the same arm.

My questions are:

* Why after already going through 1 wait list do I now have to continue suffering in agony because I've been categorised as a non-priority?

* How am I meant to fully recover from surgery (when it eventually happens) when I now have 2 other injuries from repetitive strain and over compensation in the process of trying to protect my shoulder?

* How does one go about getting made a 'Priority' when I feel this injury is getting worse each day, has become Physically debilitating and also caused a lot of unnecessary mental health worry because of how I feel I have basically been dismissed as seemingly not important enough to get it done as soon as possible?

If I could afford Private Health I believe I could guarantee this wouldn’t be a problem, but my business has been impacted financially because of the inability to work at full capacity. So is this the price I have to pay when needing specialist appointments and then surgery?

I just don't understand how 1 person can seemingly make the decision (after a 10min consult) of whether or not I am a priority, and then seem to  become yet another Number on a list.

Who can I speak to? Go to? How does one get treated some what important enough to get a procedure done that, in my opinion, should have been done 3yrs ago?

Anyone who has any ideas of what I could do/who I could speak to or simply any advice on how to deal with being pushed back to the bottom of the waitlist again - I'm honestly open for all suggestions.