Southend man in Thailand hospital without insurance is in south Essex

The friends and family of Dean Penson, 41, from Southend, launched an urgent plea for help after he was rushed to hospital in Thailand and doctors in the country feared he had leukaemia. 

Awful - hospital (Image: Ben Page)

Dean spent ten days in hospital and his friend Ben Page, 41, had spent £1,600 on treatment including two blood infusions, but a fundraiser was launched to help get Dean home. 

On Thursday, he flew back to the UK and is now being treated in Southend Hospital. 

Dean is waiting for answers from a blood specialist after undergoing additional tests. 

Ben, company director at LBM Boxing and of Leigh, said: “We’re incredibly grateful, elated and over the moon because of everyone who donated to bring Dean home.

“They released him last week and allowed us to pay for the bill later on, but they still haven’t got down to the issue yet.

“He is in a separate room at Southend because his immune system is so low, and a blood specialist is due to come to find out why Dean’s bloods are at 11 and not at 124/77.”

More than £11,000 was raised during the crowdfunding campaign and both Dean and Ben have been left unbelievably grateful for the support. 

Dean was at the Vachira Phuket Hospital, which Ben described as “awful”.

Friends - (L to R) Adam Spurling and Dean (Image: Adam Spurling)

He said: “There were blood stains on bed sheets and needles on the floor, there were about three or four people dying around him in a three-day period.

“It wasn’t great, so I’m just glad now he is in much better conditions.”

hospitalized - Dean in Thailand (Image: Ben Page)

It is still unclear what the future holds for Dean, and Ben is keeping the fundraiser open so his friend will have money available in case he needs to pay for private treatment. 

A £15,000 target was set and now 609 people have given some money, taking the total to £11,238.

To donate, visit: gofundme.com/f/help-my-best-friend-dean-penson-medical-costs.