A GRANDFATHER who was told he may have to wait almost a year for physio treatment has had his appointment brought forward -- following the intervention of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Bill Duffy, 60, was shocked when he was told that he could have to wait 46 weeks for treatment at Blackburn Infirmary.

Mr Duffy, of Hollin Street, Blackburn, had a major operation to repair a damaged spinal cord 18 months ago at the Royal Preston Hospital. As he recovered he suffered a cardiac arrest when his heart stopped beating for 30 seconds before he was revived by medics. He later lost the movement in his right arm and needed physiotherapy.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust blamed the long waiting time on the fact that demand for the service had tripled during the past seven years.

But today Mr Duffy revealed that an appointment had now been made for him for May 6. He said: "I am sure the Evening Telegraph's involvement prompted the appointment being made for me.

"The nurses are the salt of the earth and do a great job, but there is not much they can do if the system is clogged up.

"The physio department has also sorted me out with a walking stick and the nurses could not do enough for me. I am grateful to the Evening Telegraph for highlighting the issue."

Mr Duffy, a former armourer in the Royal Air Force, underwent spinal surgery in September 1998 to have bone taken from his hip and grafted onto his damaged spine. He suffered a heart attack while he was recovering from the operation and spent several weeks in intensive care.

The trust said the 46-week wait was the worst case scenario and was the maximum wait.