Family hit out at Basildon Hospital's care (From Echo)

Family hit out at Basildon Hospital's care

7:10pm Thursday 13th November 2008 in

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A DISTRAUGHT family has attacked Basildon Hospital for discharging an elderly relative who was suffering bleeding bed sores and a urine infection.

Ada Bundock, 76, from the Hastings, Wickford, is now back in hospital with pneumonia and a chest infection. Her condition is described as critical.

Mrs Bundock’s daughter, Amanda Bristow, 40, said: “You’ve never seen anything like it. It looks like someone has poured a kettle of boiling water on her. She should never have been allowed home.”

The pensioner, who is battling Parkinson’s disease, had sores on her heels, legs and several other areas of her body.

Husband Wally Bundock, 78, said: “The hospital said she had been looked after and washed every day.

“It’s not admitting to anything. Hospitals never admit to anything being wrong.”

The day after Mrs Bundock came home, her husband called a doctor because she was suffering from a urine infection, which the hospital said had cleared up, according to her family. A few days later, her condition deteriorated and she was rushed back to hospital and diagnosed with a chest infection and pneumonia.

Mrs Bristow said her mother was “delirious” and didn’t even recognise her loved ones.

Basildon Hospital has acknowledged the family’s complaints.

Maggie Rogers, director of nursing, said: “When Mrs Bundock left she showed no symptoms that would indicate she had any infection.

“There was no reason to delay her discharge, as she has support in her home from social services and district nursing. We are sorry Mrs Bundock has needed to be readmitted.

“Our nurses and staff have been in discussion with the family to clarify their concerns, and will ensure these are thoroughly investigated and add-ressed appropriately.”

However, Mr Bundock said he had no complaints about the physicians who operated on his wife when she originally went in for a leg operation.

He said: “You can’t fault them, it’s the after care I’m upset about.”