Scots pensioner is stranded in hospital in Spain with no way of getting home after insurance problems

A Scots pensioner is stranded in hospital in Spain with no way to get home after an insurance provider refused to pay out a thousands of pounds.

Joan Rose, 82, developed an infection in both of her legs while celebrating her daughter’s 50th in Mallorca and the relaxing break turned into a holiday from hell, reports Edinburgh Live.

Her family have now launched a fundraising campaign for £20,000 to get her home with no other option but to ask for help from strangers to cover the repatriation and medical costs due to insurance complications.

Joan travelled to Mallorca with her daughter Natasha and her son-in-law David for a ten-day holiday on April 2. Joan began to feel unwell on April 8 when her family they noticed that her legs appeared swollen and were a concerning dark shade of pink.

Joan was raced to Palma hospital to undergo tests, she was eventually diagnosed with a streptococcal infection in both of her legs.

Natasha said “We tried to put in a claim on our insurance but have been told they would only cover 51 per cent of the costs. This means we will have to fork out roughly €30,000 to get her back home.

“My mum has been in the hospital since April 8, and although my husband and I extended our stay by 10 days, we have had to come home because we are incurring too many charges. We are desperate to get her back with us.”

Natasha and David were able to stay at a friend's apartment for another 10 days but Joan encouraged the pair to return home as Natasha also suffers from complex health issues and required her own treatment.

“We were able to stay an extra ten days through a friend but I have health issues and require medication that I did not have enough of in Spain,” Natasha added. “Since we knew we may have to fork out €30,000 due to the issues with the insurance, my mum encouraged us to head back so that we could raise as much money as possible.

“My mum has been really up and down since she was admitted to hospital. She was getting really down about not being able to communicate.

“She could not figure out how to use Google translate for the first ten days and has struggled being an old lady in a foreign hospital. My mum has had to wear a nappy and feels humiliated by the whole thing.

“It has been very stressful for her and she is facing some pressure from the hospital as she is due to be discharged soon. We just do not have €30,000 to pay the fees.

“I’m on disability benefits as I’m unable to work due to complex ptsd and physical ailments. My husband is also my carer.

“My mum worked all her life and only retired when she was 72. I feel absolutely terrible about the situation and we have family spread all over the world in Israel, America and South Africa.

“It is horrendously stressful for everyone as we are all in different time zones. The stress has even taken its toll on my own health as I’ve developed a chest infection and have had to go see my doctor to get emotional support.”

Natasha said her family are beside themselves knowing that their mum is trapped in Spain.

Joan, who now lives in the Scottish Borders after 40 years in the capital, has been described as a charitable woman by her daughter and someone who has dedicated her own life to helping others.

“The whole thing is awful,” Natasha added. “We feel so helpless about what to do as the longer she is in hospital the more charges she is incurring. My mum is a truly incredible woman. She has been through so much.

"My mum is a very good person and she does not deserve any of this.

“She would do anything she can to help others. My mum has been involved in helping so many local causes despite her health difficulties.

“Both of us are incredibly embarrassed to have to ask for financial help. We have never had to do anything like this before.”

To support the family’s fundraiser, please click here.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.