Ian Scott has been waiting almost five years for spinal surgery. When he spoke to RTÉ News last January, his movement was already badly restricted.
Now, he finds it even harder to walk, experiences frequent numbness in his legs and has difficulty ascending and descending the stairs at his home in Newcastle, Galway.
Despite repeated attempts to progress his case, delays persist. An appointment sent in mid May for late June was cancelled at short notice, due – according to the HSE – to circumstances beyond its control.
In correspondence with local politicians who have been making representations on his behalf, the Health Service Executive stated "the current restrictions in place owing to Covid-19" have pushed back his schedule.