A retired woman from Mill End claims she has been left in near-constant pain and discomfort for six months after a hospital mix-up delayed her carpal tunnel surgery.

Sandra Sawyer, 57, says she has been left in limbo by doctors since being told in January she would need a carpal tunnel release operation "urgently".

Surgery was originally scheduled for April but after undergoing tests, Mrs Sawyer was told doctors were concerned she may have an underlying heart condition which would make operating under general anaesthetic too dangerous.

Subsequent visits to a consultant cardiologist and an echocardiogram in March proved to be all clear and with less than a month until the scheduled date of her operation Mrs Sawyer was assured the date will not need to be moved.

Mrs Sawyer and her husband Stephen, of Clarkfield, said they were then informed by letter that as a result of the cardiology investigation their date had been cancelled and they must now wait until July.

Mrs Sawyer said: "I feel I have been penalised because Watford General Hospital messed up.

"It should have been 18 weeks from January but now we are told it will be another eight weeks.

"Since we first saw the consultant I have just been going round in circles."

Mrs Sawyer has previously had a carpal tunnel release operation on her right wrist at Watford General Hospital around 30 years ago and said she experienced none of the delays or complications she has endured this time.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pain and weakness in the hand and wrist caused by pressure on the median nerve, it is treated by cutting a ligament to ease pressure on the nerve.

Mr Sawyer added: "She is in quite a bit of discomfort and is very limited by what she can pick up and hold in case her wrist goes again.

"She has only got to be holding a pan of hot water or oil in a frying pan and you are looking at a very serious injury.

"She is losing grip in her hand and cannot really pick anything up sometimes, we just want to get it sorted."

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust  spokesman Paul Gough said: “Owing to our commitment to patient confidentiality, the Trust cannot comment on the specific details of this case, however we can confirm that our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) continues to be in regular contact with the patient regarding her specific procedure.”