6:50am Friday 19th December 2008
TWO charities have branded a hospital a disgrace after its decision to discharge a disabled, partially sighted 88-year-old at 4am.
Age Concern says Southampton General Hospital urgently needs to review its attitude towards the elderly after the plight of Second War World RAF veteran Harold Lawrence was revealed by the Daily Echo.
Sandra Smith, Age Concern Southampton’s chief officer, said: “It is totally unacceptable.
Reading the story in the Echo made me very angry.
“This is not care, this is a disgrace. Being old is not a lifestyle choice. This man was vulnerable and should have been given an ambulance home at the very least.
“What would they have done if he didn’t have money for the taxi? Left him to fend for himself in the dark and cold? It is disgusting.”
Don Harper, Southampton Pensioner’s Forum secretary, echoed these sentiments and added: “The hospital has a moral obligation to look after their patients and should ensure they get home okay.
This should not have happened.”
The great grandfather was taken in to hospital late at night with suspected deep vein thrombosis after waiting more than six hours to see an out-of-hours doctor.
A few hours later after having had an anti-coagulant injection he was left to make his own way home despite needing a stick to walk small distances.
Doctors were called to the Chandler’s Ford home of the retired NHS audiologist after he complained of a severe pain in his left leg having been treated for DVT just a few weeks before.
The pensioner is now being treated for a cyst and his family are planning on lodging a formal complaint.
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, defended its decision and said it was not policy to provide patients who have been discharged with transport home.
Peter Holloway, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, transport services manager said: “Patient transport is an important issue, particularly for the elderly, and we would be happy to hear from any organisations representing older people on this subject.
“However, there are clear guidelines issued by the Department of Health regarding rules for the authorisation of transport.
“We would welcome the chance to speak to the family of Mr Lawrence if they contact us.”
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