Patients in the north-east are facing lengthy delays because a surgeon in the Territorial Army is being called up to serve in Kosovo.

One patient has told BBC Scotland that she is worried and angry.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) plans to call up dozens more surgeons over the next six months.

Grampian University Hospital Trust said the situation was out of its control.

Veronica Spurgeon: Angry

Veronica Spurgeon, who is retired and lives in the outskirts of Aberdeen, has already had two operations for breast cancer.

She is now worried about her stomach and was due to see her surgeon next week.

But a letter from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary arrived to tell her the appointment had been postponed until October.

She made inquiries and discovered surgeon Malcolm Loudon was to serve three months in Kosovo.

Mrs Spurgeon said: "I'm angry that there is no-one in line for a back-up.

"If the MoD insists you must go, then you have to go. It's your duty to go. But please make sure there is someone to cover for him."

The surgeon will be working with peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.

The Ministry of Defence said it works closely with the NHS to minimise disruption but personnel on active duty need access to first class medical care.

The call up of surgeons could involve about 28 people over six months.

Grampian University Hospital Trust said it was a case of the army being short of medical staff.

It is a situation out of the control of both the trust and the surgeon concerned, it said.

All urgent cases are to be seen by Mr Loudon's colleagues.