Mr Walker says he is entitled to better treatment on the NHS

Mike Walker, 70, from Llithfaen, on the Lleyn Peninsula suffers from a swollen prostate gland and also a throat illness.

Last week, he received a letter from North West Wales NHS Trust saying he would have to wait 40 weeks for an appointment to see a consultant at Bangor's Ysbyty Gwynedd about his throat problem.

Two days later he received another letter from the trust to say he would have to wait even longer - 52 weeks - to see another consultant about his prostate problem.

Mr Walker said he was "furious" when the letters arrived.

When he telephoned the hospital, he was told he could been seen sooner privately if he paid �90 - but he refuses to do so on a point of principle.

"I've worked all my life, I've paid all my dues and I'm entitled to get something on the NHS," he said

Mr Walker said his prostate condition makes life very uncomfortable.

"I don't have a drink after 5.30pm in the evening because I would be in and out of bed, and when I do go out I don't have a drink before I go because I shall have to find a loo."

Frustration

Mr Walker is also frustrated that he has no clear date set for an operation which could give him something to focus on.

A spokesman for the North West Wales NHS Trust said they sympathised with Mr Walker.

However, he added that the trust's record with waiting lists was generally the best in Wales.

The spokesman also said a new ear, nose and throat consultant had been recently been appointed at Ysbyty Gwynedd, and waiting list delays should ease when he starts work in January.