Wife's anger at 'dreadful' care at Dorset County Hospital (From Dorset Echo)

Wife's anger at 'dreadful' care at Dorset County Hospital

12:00pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in Local News By Ian McDonald

Allan and Edna Gilbert

A DISTRESSED wife has accused hospital staff of ignoring her elderly disabled husband.

Edna Gilbert says spondylitis and arthritis sufferer Allan – who uses sticks to walk – fell into a heap on the floor while trying to get out of bed at the hospital and lost the use of his legs.

But Dorset County Hospital says Mr Gilbert, 70, was helped out of bed by staff and the problem with his legs is linked to another condition.

Mrs Gilbert, 66, from Portland, said: “My husband fell on to his back and he was just left there. It’s dreadful – it’s no way to treat anybody.”

Mr Gilbert first sought medical advice after suffering digestive problems and was originally treated by doctors for severe indigestion.

He was rushed to Dorset County Hospital after being violently sick and collapsing at the couple’s Courtlands Road home.

Mr Gilbert underwent a lifesaving operation after he was diagnosed with gangrene of the colon.

Mrs Gilbert said: “The operation went well, the surgeon was very pleased. Allan was looked after magnificently at first in the intensive care and high dependency units.

“He was doing so well until he was moved to the Lulworth Ward. It’s the aftercare that’s been disgusting.”

Mrs Gilbert says she warned staff her husband was disabled and was shocked when she received a call telling her he had fallen.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I told them repeatedly about his disability and they took no notice.

“Apparently the nurse told all the patients to get out of bed and sit in their chairs. Allan tried, but as he swung his legs out he fell.

“Now he cannot walk at all – it’s terrible.”

Mrs Gilbert now fears her stricken husband may have damaged spinal nerves.

She said: “There doesn’t seem to be any word on whether he’ll get the feeling back. The staff are so offish, they won’t tell me anything.

“Someone should have been there to help a disabled person out of bed. I help him at home.

“He should have had some proper disabled equipment, but he got nothing. I’m trying to keep my strength up for Allan but I don’t know what to do.”

A Dorset County Hospital spokesman said Mr Gilbert was not left unattended and his symptoms were not caused by a fall.

She said: “We can confirm that Mr Gilbert was treated at Dorset County Hospital.

“Following a consultation with a physiotherapist, he was helped out of bed by a member of staff and experienced weakness in his legs when trying to stand up.

“The weakness in Mr Gilbert’s legs is not thought to have anything to do with his treatment at Dorset County Hospital.

“It is believed to be the result of another condition, for which Mr Gilbert has been referred to Southampton Hospital for more specialist treatment.

“Dorset County Hospital has been in close touch with Mrs Gilbert throughout this time.”