A retired nurse is living in a “painful nightmare” as she waits for a hip replacement - six months after doctors told her she needed the operation urgently.

Christine Appleby, of Cranes Way, Borehamwood, was diagnosed with severe arthritis in her hip in December, but officials are yet to allocate a date for treatment.

In March, Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust told the Times Series they would contact the 70-year-old to schedule the procedure - but she claims she is is yet to hear anything back.

She said: “It is horrible and I am in constant agony with this. I have to spend all day in bed because it is the most comfortable for me, but that is like a painful nightmare.

“It is time wasting and it makes me angry I have to jump through all these hoops just for an operation which doctors said was an emergency in the first place.

“The pain is getting worse and I want to be able to get up and do things. It hurts my hip and the pain has spread to my upper back. It is so upsetting but I am not sure where to turn.

“I am being ignored. I feel like I am in limbo now.”

Last month, the disabled pensioner - who has to take a daily cocktail of drugs for heart disease, bowel problems and multiple sclerosis - was rushed to hospital when she heard a “crack” in her spine.

X-rays showed there had been a slight degeneration in her hip and doctors once again said she would need a the procedure urgently to prevent further damage.

In January, she received a letter asking her to ring the admissions department - but when she phoned, hospital officials told her it could take “months” for a date to become available.

Her husband, 66-year-old David Appleby wrote a letter to Barnet Hospital’s chief executive Tim Peachy about his frustrations in February - but claims he did not recieve a reply.

Despite over 300 calls to the hospital trust, the retired teacher said he is unable to get through as he is always placed on hold listening to "jangly and loud" music.

As a last resort, Mr Appleby, who is profoundly deaf, met Hertsmere MP James Clappison to ask for his help in getting his wife the operation she deserves.

Mr Clappison said he met with Mr Peachy last Thursday who promised to speak to Mrs Appleby's consultant and review the case.

He added: “I am anxious because people should not have to wait this long in this much pain. I have every sympathy for this couple.

“There has to be a system in place to make sure people are treated according to need because I do not like to see these situations.”

A spokesman for Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust said: "We apologise for the delay in Mrs Appleby's appointment.

"We fully appreciate the distress the delay has created. We are currently reviewing the waiting list and we will shortly inform Mrs Appleby when she can expect to have her operation."