A CROSSHILL gran who lost her limbs when she contracted sepsis from a paper cut has vowed to fight on after losing a court battle against a Central Fife health centre.

Marguerite Henderson had taken Benarty Health Practice to court alleging that breaches of duty by reception staff had resulted in a delay in her receiving treatment.

The delay, she claimed, ultimately led to her having to have her limbs amputated after being diagnosed with sepsis shock when her daughter and son in law took her to the Victoria Hospital.

Court papers outlined how Mrs Henderson had taken ill during the Beast from the East storm.

She had a appointment booked to have her cut looked at however there was a dispute over a phone call which was made to Mrs Henderson which she claimed was to cancel the appointment.

She had mentioned that she felt unwell and may have a virus and explained how she was feeling ill however she alleged nothing was picked up despite her having symptoms of sepsis and the receptionist said Mrs Henderson had asked to cancel the appointment.

Providing his written decision, Lord Boyd of Duncansby dismissed the appeal.

"We recognise the catastrophic consequences that sepsis has had on the reclaimer and she has our sympathy," he stated. "We have carefully considered all of the 16 grounds of appeal and the written and oral submissions. We can however find no error in the Lord Ordinary’s opinion which is cogent, comprehensive and well-reasoned.

"The reclaiming motion is refused. We adhere to the Lord Ordinary’s interlocutors of 5 April 2022."

Speaking to the Times this week, Mrs Henderson said it was a "difficult" to take the decision.

"I feel really let down by the justice system," she said. "We didn't know when we went to appeal that only three per cent of appeals win. Right away that rings alarm bells.

"I was in a coma for eight days. My family were told to prepare for the worst. I feel I need justice for them too. One of my daughters was just 18 and the other was in her 20s. That must have been horrific to witness over a few hours, their mum was in a coma.

"I lost my ability to walk, my ability to lead a normal life. I lost my house, I am now staying with my daughter and son in law. I cannot go out myself. I need carers 35 hours a week to help me get up in the morning so my independence and my dignity has been taken away from me.

"I lost my ability to feed my grandchildren when they were born. I have to watch other people do it.

"I am not prepared to let it lie because I feel so angry that a justice system and people who are there to help you have chosen to actually make my life harder.

"I have got to live the next maybe 30 years disabled – I don't know what is in front of me. At the moment I can walk with two prosthetic legs because I was so determined I was going to do that.

"My physio said she didn't expect me to walk again but that is going to change as I get older. I am not going to have the strength or the ability to continue to do what I can do now. That frightens me and I try not to think about it. I know I might need hoists, I might need this and I might need that. That is scary. That is the bit for me – my future and the financial side of it for the kids."

Mrs Henderson said she is now unable to leave the house on her own.

"I am spending my life in a house Monday to Friday and can only go out if someone takes me," she said. "If it is rainy, or icy, I can't go out. The restraints in my every day life are horrendous.

"Five years down the line, I am still getting psychological help because of how horrific the whole thing has been. She has told me I will never get over it because it is too big what happened but I just need justice.

"We are looking into it as a family. They see how I live every day. My inner strength keeps me going on. That is why I have managed to keep going but I need justice.

"We are looking into what to do next. It is not the end of it because I cannot just give in."