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Christine Curran left bedridden for six months after cancelled operations

A former nurse has complained to the Care Quality Commission about Medway Maritime Hospital after she was left bedridden for six months.

Christine Curran, of The Tideway, Rochester, had a knee operation in January.

This followed years of problems with the joint.

Christine Curran has been bed bound for six months. Pic: Gary Browne
Christine Curran has been bed bound for six months. Pic: Gary Browne

In May 2015, the 71-year-old had her right knee replaced due to arthritis but a year later it was discovered to be broken.

Her consultant agreed to remove and replace the damaged knee in two stages as he was concerned about the risk of infection.

After two cancelled operations, Mrs Curran had the broken joint removed in January and a spacer was fitted.

She was due to have the second operation, to insert the knee replacement, six to eight weeks later.

However, six months on Mrs Curran still has not had the operation – leaving her bedridden as she cannot put any weight on her leg.

VIDEO: Christine Curran has been left bedridden for six months

The grandmother-of-three, who worked as a staff nurse at St Bart’s hospital for 25 years, was due to have the operation on Monday, July 17.

But it was cancelled as the hospital was unable to get the equipment needed due to an IT problem with the supplier.

She said: “My life has been put on hold.

“I can’t get out of my dining room which is now my bedroom.

“My grandchildren have been to visit me once but there’s not enough room for two little ones to run around and do craftwork which we would have done with them if I had been mobile.

“We would have taken them out but we’ve lost that time with them.

“I’ve missed the spring now as well.”

Mrs Curran’s new operation has now been scheduled for Monday, July 31.

Christine Curran
Christine Curran

Medway NHS Foundation Trust’s director of clinical operations, Ben Stevens, said: “We are very sorry for the delays Mrs Curran has experienced in her care, particularly the recent cancellation following an unavoidable last-minute problem that arose with our equipment supplier.

“We are in regular contact with Mrs Curran and her husband.”

Mrs Curran added: “I’ll have to have excessive physiotherapy to get my leg straight and to get walking again.

“I know it’s going to take a long time but I will persevere as I am fed up of being in this situation.

'My life has been put on hold' - Christine Curran

“My family, my husband, my daughter and my church family have been fantastic.

“They’ve carried me through these six months.”

Mrs Curran wrote a letter to the Care Quality Commission detailing what had happened.

A spokesman said: “We are reviewing the content and will speak to the complainant to see what actions we need to take.”

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