A FRAIL Alzheimer's patient 'sent home to die' after a hip operation was refused is still waiting to receive treatment.

The Worcester News reported that 78-year-old Mavis Ratcliffe was in severe pain after she was considered too weak to undergo an operation.

But, despite being 'in absolute agony' her daughter's month-long attempt to get a consultant to reassess her had gone unanswered.

Happily, a day after Mrs Ratcliffe's plight was featured in this newspaper, her consultant did pay her a visit at the Morton House Nursing Home in Fernhill Heath, Worcester.

However, daughter Jane Jennings, of Warndon Villages, said he merely re-affirmed his opinion that an operation on Mrs Ratcliffe's hip was not necessary. "He said the pain she's suffering is down to her Alzheimer's rather than the hip," she added. "I'm now getting a second opinion."

Worcester Royal Hospital said the decision not to operate on Mrs Ratcliffe was 'in her best interests'.