The son of a 96-year-old woman who waited eight days for surgery at an Oxford hospital has welcomed news that NHS managers have decided to open a second theatre to reduce delays.

Prof George Smith thanked the Oxford Mail for highlighting his widowed mother Grace Smith's plight last month, which prompted staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, to increase trauma surgery.

Mrs Smith, who lives in sheltered accommodation in Swan Street, Eynsham, had her hip operation cancelled five times while staying at the trauma unit, because emergency patients flown in to the hospital by helicopter took priority over routine patients.

But Oxford University engineering lecturer Prof Smith said the delay had led to her deterioration.

Following her story, and that of Ann Delves, of Yarnell's Hill, Botley, Oxford, who waited four days after breaking her arm, the JR has agreed to open a second theatre, to ensure patients are treated as quickly as possible.

Commenting on the news, Prof Smith, of Tilgarsley Road, Eynsham, said: "This is marvellous news. All the evidence that has come in has proved that this was needed.

"Other people have been in touch with us to tell us their stories, which are similar to ours. There's a real problem and a real need for a second theatre. That the managers have addressed the problem, and addressed it quickly, is wonderful.

"Once surgeons at the JR operated on my mother, clearly they did a fantastic job, but they just didn't do it quickly enough.

"I have to say how impressed I am by what the Oxford Mail has done. We really appreciate that you took up this story and we hope you keep up the good work."

Great-grandmother Mrs Smith was admitted to the JR on Thursday, July 28, after falling and breaking her hip. She spent eight days at the trauma unit -- often left without food all day because nurses expected her to have her operation.

She is now at Witney Community Hospital, having rehabilitative physiotherapy.

Prof Smith said: "She will be there for a couple more weeks, but is in good spirits.

"Witney Hospital is a wonderful place. You don't get the enormous turnover of agency staff like you do at the JR. It's a loving, supportive place and a privilege to know the people who work there."

JR directorate manager for general and trauma surgery James Ross last month explained that the trauma unit was a victim of its own success, as its specialist team were so talented that air ambulances brought in seriously injured patients from across the region, from as far as Warwick and Bedford.

As a result of the new initiative, surgeons from the trauma team will be able to use a second theatre two days a week.

Mr Ross said: "It will give us eight more hours of operating a week. It's something we'd been intending to do as soon as we had the staff, but we have set it up since the Oxford Mail stories.

"We should be able to treat local patients quicker now. The people who suffer most at the moment are the local patients because their injuries can usually wait, while those from outside the area -- because of their serious injuries -- can't."