THE family of a former midwife who was misdiagnosed with a tumour say they have been put through "utter hell" and will be taking legal action against NHS Fife.

For months, the loved ones of mum Isabella Keatings, from Cairneyhill, were told the 62-year-old had a tumour.

But it's turned out to be bladder stones that have now broken up during tests.

During the last nine months Isabella, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and dementia, has been an inpatient at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.

Her family fought for surgery to remove the seven-centimetre mass after health professionals said that, because of her health conditions, an operation would be too risky.

Her family felt she had been written off and feared the tumour would grow.

Now, after months of agony and asking for follow-up tests from NHS Fife, it was revealed by NHS Glasgow and Clyde that Isabella had been given a misdiagnosis.

Her son and guardian, Martin Keatings, said that while they were relieved by the news, the fight had now been moved on to pursuing legal changes to the law in order to protect vulnerable adults from being dismissed by the NHS.

"The way that NHS Fife treats elderly care is disgraceful," Martin said.

"We're going to be taking legal action but it's not for compensation.

"We've been put through utter hell – you would not understand the amount of hurt, disappointment and pressure that has been put on the family unit.

"We want to see change and make sure no other family has to go through what we have.

"We want to see NHS Fife management to take some responsibility and fix it because there has been a complete systematic failure of policies and they need to be addressed."

Martin claimed his mum's tumour diagnosis by NHS Fife had been based on a single scan and that he had been fighting for further tests over the last six months to confirm this.

When he was told of the error he said he screamed into a pillow.

"I said over the phone, are you telling me that there isn't even a tumour, and there was just silence," Martin added.

"Do not get me wrong, we are very happy that she does not have cancer.

"But while one half of me was brought to tears the other half of me just wanted to scream."

Isabella's family believe her health has deteriorated unnecessarily because of the misdiagnosis due to the time she has spent in the hospital.

At Christmas, she picked up a hospital-acquired infection which has resulted in severe weight loss.

She is currently being fed lots of calories before she will be allowed back home. She has also lost the ability to walk because of months of being immobile in a hospital bed.

Martin said: "She will spend the rest of her days in her wheelchair, something that we had up until last year been able to combat despite years of living with MS.

"Ward 42 is under-resourced and does not have the necessary facilities needed.

"It's not the nurses, they're amazing. Management needs to take responsibility."

Paul Hawkins, chief executive, NHS Fife, said: “NHS Fife is unable to discuss individual patients or their care, we do, however, constantly strive to provide the very best possible quality care to all patients.”