Hip replacement operation at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital abandoned

Wendy Atalay, 43, of Cherston Gardens, Loughton, has had a nickel allergy recorded on her medical history since she was a young girl and was amazed doctors didn't know until they asked her at the last possible minute.

She said: “I was in the theatre and I was literally seconds from being put to sleep when they asked me about allergies. I answered I had a nickel allergy, and they said that was incompatible with the metal rod used for the hip replacement. I was taken out in floods of tears.

“I can't believe they didn't know my allergy. I've told many medics over the years. Ever since I was a child, if I wear any jewellery on my skin I get swelling and I need to use steroid cream. Where's that information gone? I can't believe they didn't have it.”

Mrs Atalay was born with a shallow hip socket, and has faced pain for much of her life, although she still holds down a job as a custody officer, and lives as normally as possible.

When she was referred to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, in Stanmore, London, for the hip replacement operation she thought she would at last have help.

“I was born with this problem,” she said. “Unfortunately with age it's now severe. The pain never leaves me, its always there.

“It was such a disappointment to me. I've waited a long, long time for this operation. I'm thankful I didn't have it done in the end, but if the guy in the operating theatre hadn't asked I don't know what would have happened. The hip would have definitely failed.

“You go into hospital and your life is in their hands. They said they couldn't know, but their registrar found the documents in the end.

“I just want to say to people: if you've got something keep telling them, don't just tell them once.”

Mrs Atalay has now been promised an operation in a private hospital.

A spokeswoman for the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital said it was unable to discuss individual cases.