Happy homecoming for South Shields gran after month-long holiday hell in Italy

Elsie Bradshaw endured a month of misery in an Italian hospital after breaking her hip in a fall just hours into a dream holiday to toast her 90th birthday.

The pensioner was forced to put with squalid conditions at Sorrento Hospital - including graffiti etched on doors, a lack of air condition in sweltering conditions and a ward room with no curtains to offer privacy - after her unfortunate tumble in June.

She was left in a trolley in the hospital for 36 hours before being given a bed and waited 16 days before undergoing surgery.

Daughter Jane Bradshaw, who organised the trip and remained with her mum throughout her ordeal, says her agony was extended when her travel insurers went back on a pledge to fly her home, insisting it was too dangerous to airlift her out of the country.

Elsie was flown home by Emergency Assistance Facilities, who handle medical claims on behalf of insurers Just Travel Cover, on Friday before being taken by air ambulance to South Tyneside Hospital.

She was discharged yesterday and is now back in the comforts of her home in Madeira Terrace, South Shields, which she shares with her daughter.

Miss Bradshaw, 51, said: “The last month has been a nightmare. I couldn’t believe it was over until we finally touched down.

“The staff at South Tyneside were fantastic. it was like a five star hotel. It is such a relief to be back home.”