Michael Brennan's furious family have condemned Royal Preston Hospital.

They claim he lost his limbs after contracting the superbug MRSA after a previous visit to the former Sharoe Green Hospital.

Now RPH bosses have now launched a probe into the delay.

Frail Mr Brennan, 70, spent three weeks in Royal Preston Hospital suffering severe heart failure and breathing difficulties before being discharged at 11pm after being told he could go home 14 hours earlier.

His family were waiting for him at their home in Nevett Street, Fishwick, after being told by hospital staff the previous day that he would be discharged.

Mr Brennan has had several episodes of pneumonia in recent years and relies on oxygen to help him breathe.

He has very poor circulation, a weak immune system and has had both legs amputated, which his family claim happened after he contracted MRSA following a stay at Sharoe Green for a hip replacement nearly five years ago.

His daughter, Lianne Smith, 48, is also concerned he was made to wait all day while wearing just a vest and T-shirt. She said: "I'm disgusted that they sent him home like that. He could have contracted pneumonia. He has had it several times.

"They wouldn't send a dog home like that. Why couldn't they have kept him in for another day?"

Mr Brennan was admitted to ward 12 on March 1 because he could not breathe.

'Boxer shorts'

He was well cared for on the ward for almost three weeks until his family were told on Wednesday last week he would be allowed home the following day.

Mrs Smith said: "They knew on Wednesday he was coming home the next day – why couldn't they arrange transport for him?

"It was 11 o'clock at night when the ambulance finally arrived. It was bitter cold and he was wearing just a T-shirt and boxer shorts.

"He had a cardigan with him but they didn't put it on him. He had a hospital blanket but he had to be carried from the bed to a wheelchair in the cold."

Mr Brennan said: "I was waiting in my room from 9 o'clock in the morning to go home. I was waiting all day."

He and his wife Audrey, who has Alzheimer's, rely on round the clock care at their home from their two granddaughters.

A spokesman for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said "We would agree that the clothes in which Mr Brennan was discharged in were clearly not appropriate on such a cold night.

"However, these clothes were Mr Brennan's personal choice and when it was suggested to him that he should change into some pyjamas provided for him, he refused.

"Also, he was taken home on a stretcher, with blankets provided to keep him warm.

"We are currently investigating the issue of the transport delay."

Nigel Evans, the MP for Ribble Valley, called for a full inquiry: "It is a shocking catalogue of disasters which has damaged his health and destroyed his dignity."

* Hospital bosses confirmed Mr Brennan had his left hip replaced at the former Sharoe Green Hospital in July 2003.

His amputation was not carried out until July 2005.

The hospital could not confirm or deny if he ever had MRSA.

>> Vote in our latest web poll