Shopper with tumour faces bill for £300,000

A woman who had to have a brain tumour removed during a holiday in New York is facing a £300,000 bill for the treatment. Maureen Harvey had two operations after she collapsed on a flight from London to America for a five-day shopping trip last month.

She was admitted to New York's Mary Immaculate hospital, where the tumour was diagnosed and removed. Complications led to more surgery for a blood clot on her lungs.

Mrs Harvey, 55, and her husband, Len, believed she would be covered for the treatment by a policy taken out with Lloyds TSB as a free extra when she opened an account. But the underwriters Europ Assistance told the hospital they could not guarantee payment and Lloyds TSB warned the Harveys they were liable for the full cost.

The insurers are reviewing the case after an appeal by the Harveys, from Sittingbourne in Kent, but the couple could still have to find £315,000 to pay the medical bill.

Mrs Harvey said she was told the insurers had not been informed of her previous treatment for angina. But she visited her GP a few days before she left for America and was cleared to travel.

Lloyds TSB and Europ Assistance said they hoped to reach a decision today, pending arrival of more information from Mrs Harvey's GP and the New York hospital.