I am in awe of how positive you sound after all the pain and worry you have experienced with your hip! You know, the research shows that those people who can articulate and share their worries actually do far better than those who keep everything in, so I'm glad you are sharing with others on this forum! Plus, as you mentioned, by sharing issues and ideas, I think we all benefit, either now, or in the future when we, or a loved one, encounter a similar experience.
I think it is really hard for those of us in the US to related to the protocols those of you in the United Kingdom must follow to get your health care needs met. In many respects your health system is excellent.....but it would be a big adjustment for many of us to have to wait as long for treatment as jump through what seems to be so many more hoops than we do here. I sure hope you are going to get a clearer idea of what the problem is soon, and a good treatment plan. Please do keep us posted on what you learn.