At the end of November my son, who is 31, had the second of two hip replacements.

The procedure is called a Birmingham hip operation which is re-surfacing of the joint rather than renewal of the joint.

He was only in hospital for four days compared to up to two weeks for the ordinary hip operations.

This takes the strain off the state as these patients are back to work much more quickly than if they had the traditional operations.

The operations have been extremely successful, he is getting his life back to normal, playing with his small children and looking for work again.

The reason I am writing this letter is Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup, the hospital where he had these marvellous operations, is not allowed to do them anymore as they are too expensive.

I know the orthopaedic surgeons would love to do more of this operation as the Birmingham hip operations are reputed to be more suitable for younger patients and give more movement than the traditional operation.

Perhaps the powers that be will reconsider their decision and fund these operations once again.

Jean Sansom

Danson Lane

Welling