A man who suffered brain injuries in a motorcycle accident has had to stay at a community hospital for four months while he awaits specialist care.

Tim Roche, with his mother, Catherine Childs

Tim Roche, 36, of Portway, Didcot, needs vital treatment, lasting three to six months, for emotional problems which have left him abusive and aggressive.

His condition should be treated by neuropsychologists at Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre, at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, in Headington, Oxford, but there is a four to five month waiting list.

NHS managers will not speed up his care by paying for his treatment privately.

Meanwhile, he must stay at Wallingford Community Hospital, unable to return home to his wife Dianne, 46, son Christopher, 16, and stepson John Spoors, 18.

He stays at his mother's house during the day.

His family claim the long wait -- in a hospital which cares mainly for the elderly, and is ill-equipped to look after brain injury patients -- is unacceptable, and is having an adverse effect on their lives.

Mr Roche's mother, Catherine Childs, 58, of Clapcot Way, Wallingford, said: "Wallingford Community Hospital is not geared for coping with Tim's problems.

"The only help he actually gets is from his wife and me, and with that he has made a tremendous recovery phys- ically."

Mechanic Mr Roche was treated initially at the Trauma Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, for his psychological problems and paralysis down his left side. He should have been referred to Rivermead in August, but was transferred instead to Wallingford in September.

Mrs Roche said: "They do their best, but it's recognised that there are certain risks attached to him staying there, which is why he comes to his mother's during the day.

"He gets intolerant, frustrated and can be verbally abusive."

Because of the delays, the Roche family asked the NHS to fund £2,500-a-week private treatment at the Kemsley Clinic, in Northampton, but the Oxfordshire Brain Injury Panel -- a team of doctors and managers who make funding decisions -- turned down their application.

A Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre spokesman said: "There is a large demand for specialist rehabilitation services at the NOC from across the region."

She said delays were caused because referrals had increased by more than 100 per cent in the past decade.

Mrs Childs said: "I can't describe how frustrating it is that Tim is still suffering. Everyone's lives are on hold.

"It's absolutely atrocious. We have all worked throughout our lives and paid our dues, and we have never asked for anything before.

"The wait really has aggravated his condition. He was quite happy to go so far away if it meant he would be treated, even though he wouldn't have seen any family during the week.

No-one from the Oxfordshire Brain Injury Panel was available to comment.