A Glenrothes pensioner who is almost bent double with long-term back problems has been told she may never see a physiotherapist because she is not being viewed by NHS Fife as an urgent case.
Grandmother-of-two Elizabeth Marshall has had back problems for most of her life but says the problems got worse four years ago when she fell off a ladder.
She went for an osteo scan at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy last October which revealed at least one broken back bone.
Her GP, Dr Fiona de Soyza of Leslie Medical Practice, said there was nothing that could be done to fix her back but recommended that physiotherapy might help.
However, inquiries by her GP have revealed that she is “unlikely to be seen at all” because the physiotherapy services are prioritising emergency appointments only.
Mrs Marshall, 61, who is divorced, said: “I’m getting depressed and really quite angry about the situation now. I struggle to move about and am almost bent double. I use a stick and use a three-wheeled trolley when I’m out. But I’ve not been down the town for months now because I always have to look for a seat.
“My back is sore all the time. I only get by at home because my grandson comes and stays with me three or four nights a week and I also get help from a friend.”
Mrs Marshall added: “I’m 61, but I feel 91.”
Dr De Soyza, a partner at Leslie Medical Practice since January 1991 and a Fife councillor (better known as Fiona Grant) since May 1992, said: “Folk who have been referred for physio are getting worse while waiting, and lack of therapy is delaying people returning to work with knock-on financial pressures, quite apart from the misery and extra medication involved.
“The waiting time was 21 weeks before the local physio has 12 weeks’ planned absence.
“The reply we have had at Leslie Medical Practice to our complaint on behalf of our patients gives no hope whatsoever of the situation improving, we have been given no indication when folk referred between January and the present day can expect to be seen at all, but the reply reminds us that the target is for all patients to be seen within four weeks.
“It would seem NHS Fife either can’t or won’t improve matters.
“I feel my only option is to bring the failure to meet the target to the health minister’s attention and hope that he can focus minds on sorting out a mess which should not have been allowed to develop in the first place”.
Lesley Bruce, Head of NHS Fife physiotherapy said: “NHS Fife have been in contact with Dr Fiona De Soyza to explain the current situation and provision in place for patients requiring the physiotherapy service.
“I will be contacting Dr De Soyza to discuss the individual patient further. Within the local area concerned there is a short-term staffing issue due to sickness.
“NHS Fife understands the concerns raised and would like to reassure patients being referred that plans are in place to ensure urgent referrals will be seen as soon as possible, these will be assessed and prioritised on an individual need to ensure patients’ needs are met.
“This provision will be monitored until the staffing issue is resolved.”