Brit pensioner stuck in Turkey hospital with huge medical bill after falling ill

17 February 2024 , 14:50

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Polly Bamber, 68, was taken to hospital over Christmas and is in need of help with medical bills (Image: Sinnead Alexandra)

A British pensioner is stuck in Turkey with mounting medical bills after several bouts of ill-health.

Polly Bamber swapped Blackburn, Lancashire, for a warmer climate several years ago, with the 68-year-old having enjoyed the sun, sea and different way of life. However, over the Christmas period, things took a turn for the worse. Her great niece Sinnead Alexandra explained that on Boxing Day a friend of Polly's who had been visiting Turkey woke up in the night to hear her "gasping for breath".

Her symptoms had started with a cough, but the sinister turn in the middle of the night "came out of the blue." As a result, Polly was taken to her local hospital and was treated for pneumonia for several days. During her time under the care of medical professionals, she underwent tests before being sent home on January 4.

Once the results came back it was found that Polly's right lung had filled with fluid. Sinnead explained: "She ended up back in hospital around the 13th and transferred to Antalya hospital to have her lung drained." Polly's family are now trying to raise money to meet the cost of their loved-one's spiralling medical bills.

Due to her being over the age of 65, they say it has been nearly impossible for her to obtain medical insurance in Turkey - meaning they'll have to "fork out the costs" for her two lots of bills whilst receiving care, LancashireLive reports. On top of her problems earlier this year, Polly fell at home on February 8 and was again found by one of her friends in a "delirious and confused" state. Sinnead added: "That's when the bills have started stacking up. Currently, she's at Esnaf Hospital in Fethiye."

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She added: "We aren't sure how long she'll be there, but they have said if and when she does come out, she'll need to have 24-hour round-the-clock care." As an ex-nurse, Sinnead says her auntie is a "very caring person" and in homage to her roots is a big Blackburn Rovers fan.

She said: "She's originally from Blackburn and enjoyed playing netball in her younger days, she even went on to play for Lancashire and win medals." To help with rising medical costs, the family have set up a GoFundMe page which has reached almost £300 at the time of writing.

Susan Newton