A New Abbey pensioner was hospitalised after her central heating system in her home failed.
Elma Montgomery was found freezing at home in a distressed state wrapped in a blanket.
A GP examined the 74-year-old and advised immediate admission to DGRI for assessment.
Elma’s cousin, Dumfries man David Stitt, declined an ambulance and took her in himself.
Both say it took hours to get through to Scottish Power who, they claim, did not send an engineer on the day promised.
Speaking from hospital on Tuesday afternoon, wheelchair user Elma said: “I was sitting in my chair when David arrived.
“The doctor came and took bloods and my temperature and it was low.
“David took me up to DGRI at 6.30pm last night with hypothermia and a chest infection. I was put on steroids and antibiotics.
“They told me my heart was not beating strong enough because my house was too cold.
“Scottish Power were supposed to come out last night and sort it but they never came.”
She added: “I noticed on Sunday night that the heating had not come on. So I phoned first thing next morning but could not get through.
“I’m registered as an at risk customer. I was told to stay on the phone and someone would answer as soon as possible.
“Four hours later somebody came on but the lassie had no idea what I was talking about.”
Retired electricity board worker David, 72, said on Tuesday evening: “Elma attempted to contact Scottish Power without success.
“The housing association fuel man eventually got through after one and a half hours.
“Eventually he got them to accept it was an emergency.
“I had to take her to hospital and a neighbour sat in the house until 11pm but nobody came.
“An engineer arrived today and fitted a manual clock timer switch which seems to be working.”
He added: “I’m her guardian and I popped round to see her at 4pm. She was lying on the chair with a big blanket covering her.
“She was hardly breathing, struggling for breath and crying and frozen solid.
“The GP arranged to get her assessed at the hospital and they’ve kept her in.
“She had a bit of hypothermia and Elma said they wrapped her in foil to get her body temperature up.
“I’m her guardian and cousin – she calls me if anything goes wrong.
“She can’t walk and has to rely on a wheelchair and a mobile zimmer frame to get about.”
A Scottish Power spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear about the issues Ms Montgomery has experienced. We are investigating and will work to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”
