Mother, 85, felt abandoned by NHS, daughter says

Jean Morgan was in hospital for three weeks after her left hip collapsed, her family said

A family who said they were prepared to fund their elderly mother's hip replacement surgery privately by selling the family home have been told she would get her operation on the NHS.

Jean Morgan, 85, from Coventry, had been in the care of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire since 10 March after her left hip collapsed.

Her family claimed the way she was treated by the trust was appalling and they have made a formal complaint over the matter.

The hospital NHS trust said it aimed to provide the highest standards of patient care but understood that waiting for treatment could be stressful.

Ms Morgan’s daughter, Annette Kinsella, said she was initially told her mother was not a priority for hip replacement surgery.

“My mum put her trust in the NHS and has trusted them all her life,” she said.

She added she felt the health service had abandoned her mother at the time when she most needed help.

Ms Kinsella said her mum started crying when she was told the news that she would be able to have the surgery after all.

'Relieved'

“She was so relieved she wouldn’t have to borrow against her house, which was something she was looking at.

“She was so relieved that she knew she could live independently again.”

There had been earlier claims that University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Trust wanted to discharge Ms Morgan before surgery – despite the family fearing this was unsafe.

“I think health care should be fair and equal for all and everyone should have access – and that is what I’m going to be looking into," her daughter said.

She added she believed there ought to be an enquiry into the matter.

Annette Kinsella said she was initially told her mother was not a priority for hip replacement surgery

A spokesperson for the trust told the BBC: “We know waiting can be stressful.

“All patients are assessed on their clinical needs and we expect Mrs Morgan’s surgery will be undertaken in the near future.”

On Thursday, independent healthcare champion Healthwatch Warwickshire described the family’s situation as intolerable.

It was expected Ms Morgan would receive her replacement hip in the next few weeks.