Black patient offered white limb

Ingrid Nicholls from Calcot, near Reading, Berkshire, was told she would have to pay extra for any other colour.

Health chiefs say they will be offering Ms Nicholls a black prosthetic limb following her complaint.

Ms Nicholls, who has yet to undergo her operation, told BBC News 24 she felt "angry and hurt" by her treatment.

She said she was shown white prosthetic limbs and told she would have to pay for one to match her skin colour.

"I was absolutely devastated and I felt that, you know, this is a ridiculous situation," she said.


"I had to make a joke of it at the time because, obviously, I am mixed race and I said,'Oh that's taking it a little bit too far'. But I was so angry and hurt.

Ms Nichols has yet to undergo her operation

"They haven't got back to me. It's very sad, not only for myself but other people in a similar position, that it has to come to this to get what I would call an equal service.

"It's like asking a white person to have a black limb. It's just not right, it's undignified."

An NHS Trust spokeswoman said having six separate NHS Primary Care Trusts in the county had made funding difficult but money had subsequently been made available following discussions.


The trusts would be working together "to address this issue and clarify funding for future cases", she added.

A Disability Rights Commission spokesman said: "It is an absolute disgrace.

"Disabled people shouldn't have to put up with a one-size-fits-all attitude.

"They should be entitled to the same choices as non-disabled people."