The family of a housebound pensioner say she is often left in pain and discomfort when nurses miss vital care appointments.

Maurine Savine, of St Anne’s Close, South Oxhey, requires constant care with her badly ulcerated feet, which have left her housebound.

Swollen and aching, they require regular bandaging and cleaning, which can only be done by a qualified nurse.

But the district nurses who care for Maurine left her feet unattended last week.

Her carers, niece Jane Dalling and Jane's daughter Laura Dalling, say this is not the first time the nurses have missed appointments and Maurine’s feet are getting progressively worse.

Laura, 24, is Maurine’s full-time carer, she said: “It’s frustrating because she takes it out on all of us.

“She’s in so much pain and discomfort.

“It’s upsetting as we love her, I’ve known her all my life and no one wants to see her like this.”

The 86-year-old first started to suffer with her condition nearly a year and a half ago, and used to go to South Oxhey Surgery in Oxhey Drive, her feet started to recover.

However, since Maurine came down with a sickness in her lungs which required her to be on oxygen and at home, her feet have gotten worse.

Jane said: “She always used to be outgoing and social. She would be off at a salon getting her hair done or having her nails painted – but now she is stuck at home.

“We understand the nurses are overworked and understaffed, but she has been left at home unable to walk.

“She needs the nurses, but they come irregularly and mess her about.”

A Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear that Mrs Savine and her family are not happy with the care we are providing for her.

“Our manager for our adult services in the Watford area is contacting Mrs Savine to discuss her concerns.

“We take any concerns raised by our patients or their families and carers seriously and work closely with them to resolve any issues they may have.”