An elderly woman who had complex foot surgery had to wait seven weeks and make several trips to two hospitals to be given a pair of crutches.

Julie Fox, 69, from Epsom, had surgery on her left foot at the Elective Orthopaedic Centre in Epsom Hospital seven weeks ago with a surgeon from St George’s Hospital, who was brought in by Epsom Hospital to operate on her.

But two weeks after the surgery, instead of a pair of crutches, Mrs Fox was given a walking frame when she was discharged.

She went back to Epsom Hospital after two weeks, but was told by the physiotherapy department she would have to get crutches from St George’s Hospital because that was where her surgeon was from.

Mrs Fox, a receptionist at care home Sunrise Senior Living, in Banstead, said: "They told me they were not affiliated with me, because my doctor was from St George’s Hospital, so they could not give me crutches. I told them I live in Epsom, but they didn’t listen.

"I went to St George’s Hospital and asked if I could have the crutches and they were really nice and said they could book an appointment, but I would have to go back there to pick up the crutches.

"I said I wasn’t going back to St George’s because it was just really hard for me to move around without being able to put any weight on my foot."

She was then referred by her surgeon once again to Epsom Hospital, so she could have an appointment to pick up her crutches, but had to get in touch with him again after Epsom Hospital staff told her they had not received a fax from St George’s.

Mrs Fox was finally given crutches after seven weeks trying to get them. She will now have her cast on for another six weeks before starting physiotherapy.

A spokesman for Epsom and St Helier Trust said: “We are pleased to say that one of our nurses has spoken with Ms Fox and she has confirmed she has the crutches that she needs.

“We also understand that she is delighted with the care she received from the Elective Orthopaedic Centre, even saying she has never had better treatment.”