A RETIRED Ayrshire NHS worker who has been awaiting surgery for a painful back condition for four years has blasted her “ridiculous” lack of treatment and claimed she’s been left to feel like an “invalid”.

Pensioner Joyce Saddington worked at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock for nearly two decades before being struck down with her own medical troubles at the beginning of 2020.

The Saltcoats OAP was diagnosed with lumbar stenosis which is caused by a narrowing of the spine, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. As a result she has made countless visits to hospitals and GPs.

However, the 73-year-old slammed repeat issues with patient transport and ‘rude’ responses from professionals.

She claimed she was sent home from hospital when she was still unfit and added there was an absence of urgency in finding a long-term solution to her plight.

Joyce said she has “never in my life before seen someone treated like this”.

She added: “The treatment they get in hospital is ridiculous. I will never go to Crosshouse again in my life, I would rather sit here and die.

“Caring, dignity and compassion? I don’t see any of that in Crosshouse.”

(Image: Archive)

Joyce added: “That place is going to pot, and someone needs to something about it.”

Speaking about her health problems, Joyce explained she is still awaiting surgery which she believes would help solve the issues surrounding her spinal stenosis.

She said she requires an MRI scan under anaesthesia before the procedure can be carried out - and four years after the issue was discovered it has still not been completed.

“All I want them to do is work on my back and get me up,” she added.

“They have made me feel like an invalid in four years. The whole system needs overhauled.”

Joyce described the ongoing issues she has experienced as a “top down problem” that no one is willing to address.

She has tried to raise her concerns with NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s complaints department but claims she has seen little in the way of action.

After lodging an official complaint, she was left feeling “fobbed off”. She said she also had to chase up a letter of response to her concerns.

Despite the issues being brought to light and investigated in early 2023, it took more than 18 months for a letter of reply to be sent to her - something she only received after following up her complaint on multiple occasions.

Joyce also raised her complaint further with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman but this has been to no avail.

She also says she has pulmonary fibrosis which she claims is due to over-prescription of antibiotics - but this has been repeatedly denied.

She added: “They believe their uniforms come with angel wings attached – they are earned.”

Responding to the concerns raised, NHS Ayrshire and Arran nursing director Jennifer Wilson offered an apology.

She said: “We are sorry that Mrs Saddington feels her experience of care did not reflect the high standards we aim to deliver in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and that she feels her concerns have not been addressed appropriately.

“However, due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual cases.

“We would encourage any patient not satisfied with the care and support they have received to get in touch with us directly.

“This allows us to investigate any concerns as part of our complaints handling process.”