Paralysed woman faces 'soul-destroying' wait for life changing operation

An Edinburgh woman left paralysed by a traumatic accident says she’s facing a “soul-destroying” wait after NHS Lothian postponed a “life-changing” operation indefinitely.

Yvonne Sinclair, 62, needs a urostomy procedure to alleviate severe bladder issues, but says she’s now been left in limbo and has developed painful pressure sores from lying in her own urine for hours.

NHS Lothian advised her in October that the waiting list for specialised surgery is lengthy and said the operation had now been postponed indefinitely.

Supported by mum, Gayle, and a team of round-the-clock carers, Yvonne’s body is now rejecting the catheter she relies on, causing serious health problems such as skin infections and catheter blockages.

NHS Lothian apologised to Yvonne but said that because of the complexity of her case, waiting times for specialised surgery can be long.