JUST days after undergoing heart surgery in a Midlands hospital, pensioner Margaret Hiden was told she could go home - but would have to pay the £71 taxi fare.

Margaret, 68, of Oak Tree Close, Evesham, had originally been sent to Worcestershire Royal Hospital by her GP for an angiogram after experiencing heart problems.

Although the hospital had the equipment, there were no staff to operate it, so she was transferred to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.

Although she was due to be discharged the following day, Margaret collapsed at the hospital and doctors decided to operate.

After six days at Wolverhampton, Margaret was told she was free to go home.

"I couldn't go in an ambulance and they tried to get an Age Concern car, but they don't go outside Wolverhampton," she said. "They said that would mean a taxi and I would have to pay the fare. They thought it would be about £45.

"I'm a pensioner, what if I hadn't had that kind of money to pay for a taxi? Would they have just left me there?"

Husband Ronald said: "It is a disgrace but it seems to be typical of what is happening to the health service in this country.

"I do drive, but I have a pacemaker and I wouldn't risk going as far as Wolverhampton, which is a city I don't know.

"I don't see why I should have to pay a fee for having my wife dropped off at home, it makes no sense. We've been told we'll have to pay this money as the hospital can't afford it, but I'm pensioner."

New Cross chief executive David Loughton said: "Mrs Hiden was told the evening before that she was going to be discharged.

"We understand her husband and son-in-law both drive. She chose to get a taxi because she didn't want to get home late.

"She did not fulfill the criteria for official transport. If you are fit to go under your own steam and you don't need an escort, we do not provide transport. It is the same across the National Health Service."