I’m starving to death as I wait for my NHS op
Gran’s health is failing after surgery delays
A GRANDMOTHER fears she will starve to death on an NHS waiting list after a string of cancelled operations.
Kathy Allan is pleading for surgery after shedding 10st in nine months because of a debilitating stomach condition. Kathy, from Ayr, was diagnosed with a large hiatus hernia – when part of the stomach bulges into the chest – last October and has struggled to keep down food as the 4in growth puts pressure on her vital organs. The 58-year-old gran of six was booked in for surgery to fix the condition but operations have been cancelled three times, despite leading to drastic weight loss. Kathy, who has dropped 12 dress sizes, from a size 20 to a size eight, said: “I’m scared I’ll go to sleep one night and never wake up. I’m losing weight rapidly and nothing has been done about it. “I want to eat but I can’t keep anything down. “I’ve gone from 17st to just below sevenand-a-half stone. I’m totally malnourished.” Kathy’s first surgery was scheduled to take place on December 28 but was cancelled at the last minute. A second surgery was then cancelled on January 9. Kathy said she “burst into tears,” when she heard the third attempt at surgery wasn’t possible after MRSA bacteria was found in her throat during her pre-operation assessment. She claims that since then she also has been told by NHS Ayrshire & Arran that the surgeon who was scheduled to carry out her surgery is leaving and they don’t have a replacement. Kathy said: “I’ve just been in tears. I need the surgery to improve my quality of life but I’m left unwell, suffering and still losing weight. “I need them to operate now so I can be here to see my grandkids grow up.” Dr Crawford McGuffie, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s medical director, said: “We are sorry that this patient has felt they had to raise concerns about the care provided. However, due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual cases.”
i’m below seven-and-ahalf stone. i’m totally malnourished
KATHY ALLAN ON THE EFFECT OF THE CANCELLED SURGERIES