Patient leaves hospital over op delay row

Patient Christopher Doran aged 53 from Harling Road in Preston has signed himself out of hospital at Royal Preston Hospital after he was told he was bed blocking and could wait days Nil by Mouth before an urgent operation was carried out. He was so angry that he signed himself out.
11th February 2016 — Patient Christopher Doran aged 53 from Harling Road in Preston has signed himself out of hospital at Royal Preston Hospital after he was told he was bed blocking and could wait days Nil by Mouth before an urgent operation was carried out. He was so angry that he signed himself out. 11th February 2016

Christopher Doran, 53, was admitted to the Royal Preston Hospital (RPH) with severe pains due to a fissure and piles.

On the morning of the day of surgery, having been nil-by-mouth since midnight, he claims a consultant told him he was taking up a bed and should be seen as an outpatient.

Then at 1.30pm he said he was told if he hadn’t been called by 5pm, surgery would not take place that day, and there were no guarantees for the day after, though he would have to undergo the same nil-by-mouth preparations.

Mr Doran, of Harling Road, Preston, said: “I was disgusted. Even thought the pain was very bad I decided I couldn’t keep putting myself through that so I signed myself out.”

The following Saturday he saw a consultant at Fulwood Hall Hospital, who wrote to the RPH insisting the surgery was done as a matter of urgency. The procedure was carried out the next day.

Mr Doran added: “I want to make people aware of the way the NHS treat people in this country. I’m sure it’s not just me, there must be plenty of people who have had similar experiences.”

Hospital chief executive Karen Partington said: “Our priority is to always provide the highest standards of compassionate, safe care, that gives our patients a positive experience and we would urge anybody who is not satisfied with the care they have received, to contact our Customer Care department.

“We will look into the matter and will contact Mr Doran to discuss further.”