ONE York man told the Evening Press today he had decided to pay £12,000 for private heart surgery rather than risk his health on the NHS waiting list.

Mr A R Newson, of Manor Heath, Copmanthorpe, decided to use some of his life savings to give himself the chance to better his health more quickly.

He said he believed that if he had not decided to pay out the money to have his operation done at the BUPA Hospital, in Leeds, in December, then he would have received the same letter as the other patients this week.

"It's absolutely disgusting that money is being put before people's health.", said Mr Newson.

The 67-year-old was told in November that he needed an angiogram, an exploratory procedure, and probably an angioplasty. He was told that he would have to wait several months.

He says he is one of the lucky ones who are able to pay to have the operation done straight away - but few people are in his position.

"This is my heart we are talking about and I didn't want to have to wait," he said.

"My toes could be turned up within two months."

Updated: 16:16 Thursday, February 07, 2002