A MOTHER has called on Basildon Hospital to take action to repair an uneven footpath after her daughter fell and badly sprained her ankle.

Heather Scott, 16, is on crutches following her tumble on Monday afternoon outside the hospital’s accident and emergency department.

Construction work is ongoing to create a new A&E department and fracture clinic. Work is set to continue until 2012.

A temporary path for people visiting A&E has been put in place, and it is on this that Heather, a former De La Salle School pupil, fell.

Her mum Wendy Scott, 45, of Theydon Crescent, Basildon, said: “There are lots of potholes in the road where this path is. My daughter fell in one and her ankle swelled really badly.

“She was in agony. She has badly sprained her ankle, but was lucky not to fracture it.

“She had only just started a summer job at McDonald’s and may have to give that up as she won’t be able to work for at least a week.”

Mrs Scott is angry that despite reporting it to reception staff, nothing appears to have been done.

She added: “They need to repair the holes, or highlight them with paint or warning signs.”

However, the hospital did not plan to make repairs.

Hospital spokeswoman Nicola Laver said: “There are sections of slightly uneven concrete on the temporary pathway which takes patients directly to A&E, while the development work takes place. Patients who need to access other areas of the hospital are directed on to a permanent path.”