"The pain is terrible and it'll be weeks before I see the consultant"

I've had 3 ops on my knee, last one 2 years ago, and told I would need a new knee next time. I work full time, and low and behold dec tear cartlidge again, but this time the pain is constant. Jan, GP refers me back to my consultant, pain meds changed as I'm in agony. Physio, Feb, after examining knee told no physio, as they don't want to cause more trauma. Put on crutches to be used at all times even indoors, no weight bearing on my knee at all. Had appointment for early march with my consultant, today, mid-February, I got letter, this has been changed to end of April! So, I will be waiting nearly 4 months just to see consultant, and 3 months on crutches, as I work, and I stand and walk on a shop floor. I'm reducing my days, as I'm in agony, thus losing nearly half my salary. The pain is terrible, and I know it will be further weeks after I see consultant before my op. So, can someone tell me when government changed the waiting time from referral to treatment from 18 weeks to the 12th of never? I do get paid when I'm off sick, but only for so many weeks. So I wanted to keep working so I'd get paid when I'm off with new knee op. But now, I might as well give in because I can't work like this much longer, and health and safety need to assess me for long term use of crutches, and public liability. Early march 9 weeks waiting, End of April, 16 weeks waiting. Disgusting.