Nuneaton family's fury after hospital discharges amputee...

[dutchman]

Relatives of a pensioner who had to have his leg amputated due to illness have slammed the George Eliot Hospital for discharging him too soon.



Loved ones of 73-year-old Paul Kennedy from Nuneaton were left incensed after they say he was effectively forced out into sheltered housing accommodation without the necessary measures in place.

The former miner at Baddesley Pit, who previously lived in a house in Grove Road, Nuneaton, found himself unable to return there as it was substandard and he would not be able to manage the stairs any more.

Once Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council secured him a new home in Stan Williams Court and handed over the keys, he was discharged from hospital, despite there being no furniture in the flat, or even an oven.

Mr Kennedy's brother-in-law Geoff Harrison said: "Paul has Type 1 diabetes and had his leg amputated three inches below the knee at the George Eliot in July because of the condition.

"The home he lived in in Grove Road was quite frankly not fit for purpose to live in, it was a mess and he couldn't go back after the operation.

"Because of the leg we've been looking for sheltered housing and the council found one on the Thursday at Stan Williams Court - but as soon as he was given the keys, the hospital said it wanted him out."

Mr Harrison and his wife, who is Mr Kennedy's sister, had to cut short their holiday in Wales to come to their relative's aid.

"The hospital gave him a special bed and a wheelchair but apart from that he had nothing," added Mr Harrison.

"The flat in Stan Williams Court was practically empty apart from that - in fact residents and wardens took pity on him and managed to rustle up a chair for him but that was all he had.

"I understand that the hospital need the beds - I understand that, but by Christ give us a chance!

"All we were asking for was a week so we could get everything sorted out for him. Also by highlighting this, I hope that it doesn't happening to anyone else."

The News contacted the George Eliot Hospital over the matter.

A spokesperson for the Trust said that it was looking into what happened.

He also stressed that the Trust operates a number of ways that people can express their dissatisfaction over the care received.

The spokesperson said: "We are concerned that this gentleman and his family are unhappy and are looking into the matter.

"We would however urge anyone who is unhappy with the level of service they receive to inform us through the proper channels so that we can respond immediately. "Our Patient Liaison service can help and they can be contacted on 024 7686 5550 or email pals@geh.nhs.uk"

[rebbonk]

Basically they don't give a fig as long as the patient is out of their hair.

Absolutely disgusting and heads ought to roll.

[dutchman]

In fairness to the hospital it's not their job to provide emergency accommodation for patients who no longer require hospital treatment, that's the job of social services. An accident and emergency patient could literally be dying on a trolley in a corridor waiting for a bed to be freed.