Paralysed Edinburgh woman in limbo after life-changing urostomy postponed 'indefinitely'
Months later, the surgery has still not been scheduled.
A paralysed Edinburgh woman has been left in limbo after her life-changing bladder operation was postponed indefinitely.
Yvonne Sinclair, 62, was scheduled to receive a urostomy in October last year to alleviate severe bladder problems and recurring infections.
A urostomy is a surgical procedure that creates a new path for urine to exit the body, typically when the bladder is removed or damaged, and it involves creating a stoma.
However, in that same month, she received a letter to say her operation would be postponed indefinitely.
Due to the development of pressure sores, Yvonne’s family is concerned she may eventually not be considered medically fit for surgery, citing risks of sepsis.
Yvonne was living in Edinburgh and beginning a modelling career in her 20s when a traumatic accident left her paralysed from the waist down.
Now, Yvonne is supported by her mum Gayle and round‑the‑clock carers at her home in Edinburgh.
Her family say it took over three years to secure a urostomy consultation, at which time they were assured Yvonne was a priority case and would be operated on no later than October 2025.
Yvonne has faced bladder problems for years and now says her body is rejecting the catheter she relies on. This has led to her skin being permanently wet, with her skin now having broken down again at a known vulnerable site. Pressure sores have also developed.
Speaking to the Evening News, Yvonne’s sister Stephanie Harris said: “Her skin has broken down again. When she first had her accident it was drummed into us from day one that pressure sores kill spinal patients.
“Because of this urinary problem, we’re in a situation where if they don’t operate soon, we’re going to lose control of these tiny pressure sores that are popping up almost daily. If we lose control of that, she will get sepsis and she won’t be suitable for surgery.
“There can’t be that many patients above her that are as needy as she is. She’s the longest surviving high-level spinal injury patient in Scotland. She’s been paralysed for 40 years.”
Tracey Gillies, medical director at NHS Lothian, said: “We apologise to Ms Sinclair for the length of time she has waited for the procedure. We are in regular contact with her and her family.
“Due to the high risk and complex nature of Ms Sinclair’s case, her care must be managed by a highly specialised urologist who treats patients with complex referrals from across Scotland. Unfortunately, this does mean that waiting times for this type of highly specialised surgery can be lengthy.
“Patients are clinically assessed and scheduled for surgery based on clinical need and priority, and all patients on the waiting list are kept under regular review.”