Ian Spary waited three years for an operation at the Greater Manchester unit.

Ian was put on a waiting list in October 1997 for an operation on his lower back

He finally underwent surgery in January 2001 - a wait of three years and two months.

During that time his health deteriorated, but Ian says he would probably have had to wait even longer if his local MP had not intervened on his behalf.

"I was told to keep ringing the hospital to see where I was on the list, which I kept doing every two to three months.

"That just went on and on and on and I got so fed up with it I contacted my local MP, who in due course contacted the hospital records department.

You should expect to get a response back from the NHS that you have put into

Ian Spary

"He found that they had lost my records."

Ian said that his condition "went down hill fast" while he waited for surgery.

"My legs were weak, my muscles were not very good, and I had obviously put weight on because I could not do the exercise I wanted to do."

Ian said the hospital should have been much more vigorous in carrying out checks.

"I don't think it is fair. You should expect to get a response back from the NHS that you have put into."

He said he was "dumbfounded" when he heard about the waiting list manipulation at the hospital.

"You go on a waiting list with the intents and purpose of getting the treatment you're entitled to in the shortest possible time.

"As time passed away, I wondered what was going on."

He has lodged a claim for compensation against Hope Hospital.

The hospital has refused to comment on Ian's individual case but it has issued a general apology to its patients affected.