'Hospital looked like a building site': Patient claims bed at private Rowley Hall surrounded by wet plaster and dust
PLASTERER Gary Shaw was stunned to find the plush private hospital he was sent to for surgery by the NHS had been turned into a 'building site.'
The 30-year-old claimed he had to recover from his operation in a bed surrounded by dust covering the carpets, wet plaster and radiators hanging off walls.
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Formal complaint: Gary Shaw.
He said there were even signs outside his room at Stafford's Rowley Hall Hospital warning that construction work was in progress and safety helmets must be worn at all times.
Now Gary, from Eaton Park, has contacted a solicitor and made a formal complaint against the hospital which charges £2,000 for the colon surgery he needed.
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The father-of-one said: "I woke up after the operation, looked round my room and thought I was back on site. There was so much banging and crashing I couldn't get any rest.
"I'm worried the wound could have been infected because I spent around 10 hours on what felt like a building site."
Gary had been referred to Rowley Hall by his GP after waiting so long for the procedure at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire he was left in agony.
It went ahead last week – although yesterday he received a letter from the UHNS asking him to go there for the same treatment. Gary's father, Graham, aged 61, said: "I took the camera because I wanted to show friends what luxury he had been given on the NHS – I could not believe it was the absolute opposite.
"As well as wires hanging down, there was constant hammering and drilling."
Gary, a recovering heroin addict, was sent to Rowley Hall in line with Government rules that all patients must be treated within 18 weeks. GPs are allowed to refer patients to the private sector under a policy called 'Patient Choice'.
The NHS then picks up the bill so Stoke-on-Trent Primary Care Trust will be invoiced for Gary's treatment.
He said: "I have been off heroin for a year and turned my life around to get a trustworthy job. But I have been off for three months now and am losing £500 a week.I daren't think what I could have been breathing in and I have had a cough since. I think there might be a health and safety risk."
Gloria Kerrigan, general manager of the hospital, confirmed an investigation was now underway.
She said: "Rowley Hall is at the moment part-way through a refurbishment programme, where the patient bedrooms and receptions are being upgraded to make them a nicer facility.
"The areas are cordoned off, but inevitably there is a degree of disruption, and we have worked hard to minimise the impact.
"I'm sorry this gentlemen wasn't happy during his stay."
19 Comments
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by fishermanrus
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 6:51PM
“Working as a plasterer you would expect to gain a cough once in a while with all that dust flying around, sounds like someone just wants to get his name in the newspapers and try and claim compensation.”
by sandrajepson
Monday, February 11 2013, 7:57PM
“got no chance of claiming”
by jokerjohnny
Sunday, February 10 2013, 8:18PM
“Bring back Blair and Brown, this wouldnt have happened if they were still in charge . Its Camerons fault he should be in court to .”
by ex_nhs
Sunday, February 10 2013, 7:40PM
“He said: "I have been off heroin for a year and turned my life around to get a trustworthy job. But I have been off for three months now and am losing £500 a week."
So my question is,
What relevance is this statement?
You would still be in the same situation if you hadn't gone private.
As for your cough, its a winter cough, its cold outside.”
by Rogmac
Sunday, February 10 2013, 1:15PM
“My wife has been treated at Rowley Hall on the NHS twice, once last year and previously about 20 years ago. On both occasions we couldn't fault the treatment she had. The rooms were lovely, the food was good, the staff caring and efficient and the surgeons excellent. I don't know this person who is complaining so I am not going to condemn him out-of-hand, but I do have a cynical streak which makes me tend to side with the other messages on here saying "compo seeker". If he has not actually suffered any infection or worsening of his condition surely any solicitor will turn him down flat.... they don't like losing cases and surely this claim would be laughed out of court.”
by FFDP1
Sunday, February 10 2013, 7:37AM
“May be that his health problems have been brought about by drug use. Colon problem, can see that, full of s*** by the sound of this.”
by hotdog21
Saturday, February 09 2013, 5:45PM
“What a load of BS! As Jerry McGuire said....'show me the money'
Makes my blood boil, I've had a cough since, health and safety risk, blah, blah, blah!
I bet as a plasterer (and a heroin addict) he's breathed in a loat worse!
Also, remember the face when he comes round to give you a quote for a plaster job, I wouldn't let him over the threshold of my frontt or back door!”
by jonesystoke
Saturday, February 09 2013, 5:04PM
“Why does the article open with a suggestion that he's personally having to pay £2,000? And why the hell are ex crack heads being sent to private hospital???”
by scarback
Saturday, February 09 2013, 4:02PM
“what a load of rubbish!!! I have been to Rowley Hall a few times over the last few weeks and yes, it is a work in progress, but seeing as he has been referred by his GP it isnt costing him anything!!! Another case as everybody else says of compo - he doesnt deserve to be treated in a private hospital!!!!!!”
by Alberus
Saturday, February 09 2013, 1:36PM
“It's hard to feel sorry for a junkie, sorry.”