An elderly couple have criticised NHS waiting lists after being forced to spend their life savings on private treatment.

Madge Harvey, 83, of Clacton, suffered a prolapsed rectum seven weeks ago, and says she was in "agony".

Her husband Vic, 82, said: "I took her to Colchester General Hospital where they told us she needed surgery - but because it wasn't a life-threatening condition, they said she'd have to wait for an operation."

The Harveys, of Havenvale, Coppins Road, were told it would take between nine and 12 weeks to see a specialist about the case, and that the operation might not happen for another four months after that.

As a family, it was decided Mrs Harvey would have to be seen privately, despite the cost.

The treatment, carried out within a week of the first consultation, cost the Harveys more than £5,500 - their life savings plus donations from their six children.

Mrs Harvey has made a full recovery since the operation in mid-March, but the couple are facing a thrifty future together after the large medical bill.

"We wanted to enjoy our twilight years," said Mr Harvey.

"You can't get much out of a pension, which is why we saved up when we were working."

Susan Barnett has made an official complaint about her mother's treatment to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, and has requested the cost of the private treatment be refunded.

As the case is now in the complaints system, a spokesman for Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust was unable to comment at this stage.