Sheppey businessman 'sent home from hospital in no fit state'

A businessman from Sheppey says he was discharged from Medway Maritime Hospital despite being in “no fit state” to leave.

Vape shop owner Terry Utting, 46, from Minster was sent home from the Gillingham hospital on the evening of Thursday (March 5) after having an emergency operation on an infected abscess.

He says staff threatened to call security when he insisted he was still in severe pain, unable to walk properly and constipated.

Terry Utting at one of his shops. Stock photo: John Nurden

He said: “I was told that if I refused to leave, security would remove me from the ward. As a result, I had no choice but to leave, despite believing I was medically unfit for discharge.”

Less than 24 hours later he was back at the hospital with blood and pus leaking from his dressing after both his GP surgery and staff at Sheppey Community Hospital had refused to look at the wound.

Mr Utting, a dad of three who runs a string of 12 vape shops across Kent including Sittingbourne, Sheppey and the Medway Towns, has now submitted a formal complaint to the Medway hospital claiming his discharge was unsafe and poorly managed.

He wants the hospital to investigate a string of missed opportunities and to ensure it doesn’t happen to other patients in the future.

His ordeal began at 2pm on Monday, March 2, when he was admitted to the hospital for surgery on the infected abscess.

Terry Utting's wound

He said: “Later that evening, I underwent an operation to remove the infection and abscess.

“Following the operation, I was kept in the recovery area for approximately 30 hours waiting for a ward bed. I was then transferred to McCulloch Ward, where I stayed for two nights.

“During my stay, I informed staff that I had been constipated since Thursday, February 26 and was in severe abdominal pain.

“By the time of my discharge discussions, I had been constipated for eight days.

“I was also experiencing significant weakness, cold sweats, difficulty walking and my blood pressure was recorded at the lowest level since my admission.

“Despite explaining that I was not well enough to leave the hospital and was still in severe pain, I was told on the evening of Thursday, March 5, that I was being discharged and should gather my belongings.

Entrance to Medway Maritime Hospital. Picture: John Nurden

“I explained that I was in no fit state to leave due to severe pain, inability to walk properly, ongoing constipation and low blood pressure.

“I was then told that if I refused to leave, security would remove me from the ward, As a result, I felt I had no choice but to leave the hospital despite believing I was medically unfit for discharge.

“I had previously been informed that I would receive five days of strong pain relief followed by two weeks of alternative pain medication. However, upon discharge, I was only provided with three days of pain relief.

“I was also told that a nurse would contact me to arrange dressing changes for my surgical wound. Less than 24 hours after returning home, the wound dressing began leaking significant amounts of pus and blood with a strong smell indicating infection.

“No nurse had contacted me as I had been told would happen.

Sheppey Community Hospital. Picture: Sheppey Scene

“I attended the walk-in centre at Sheppey Hospital seeking help but was informed they could not change the dressing as they did not stock the required dressings and that I should contact my GP.

“I then contacted my GP surgery, Greenport Medical Centre, but they informed me they had received no discharge notes or medical records from the hospital and therefore did not know what treatment or dressings I required.

“I contacted McCulloch Ward at Medway Maritime Hospital and was told by a nurse over the phone to return to the ward where they would change the dressing.

“However, when I arrived at the ward, I was told they could not change the dressing and that there were no beds available and a different procedure had to be followed.

“At this point, I was extremely distressed, in severe pain, unable to walk properly, and my wound was leaking through the dressing.

“Due to my distress and frustration, I raised my voice, after which security was called. I was then escorted to A&E and told they would deal with it there.

“After booking into A&E, I was informed that they were also unable to change the dressing and was directed to the Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU).

“Upon attending SAU, I was initially told to return to McCulloch Ward as they did not have a bed available. SAU then contacted McCulloch Ward directly, during which there appeared to be a disagreement, after which SAU eventually agreed to change the dressing.

“I believe my discharge was unsafe and poorly managed.

“I was discharged without appropriate wound dressings, a clear aftercare plan, communication with my GP, accurate medication as previously promised and proper arrangements for wound care.

“I was also given incorrect information regarding follow-up care as I was told a nurse would contact me to arrange dressing changes, which did not happen.

“As a result, I was left at home in severe pain, unable to walk properly with an open surgical wound leaking pus and blood, low blood pressure and an active infection with no medical support or clear instructions for care.

“This experience caused me significant distress and unnecessary suffering at a time when I was already vulnerable following surgery.”

He says he wants the incident to be formally investigated.

“In particular, I would like the hospital to review the decision to discharge me despite my medical condition; the threat to remove me with security when I expressed I was medically unfit to leave; the failure to arrange appropriate wound care or communicate with my GP; the incorrect information provided regarding follow-up nursing care; the lack of adequate pain relief medication upon discharge and the confusion and lack of coordination between departments when I returned for help.”

He added: “I would appreciate a full explanation of what happened and what steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen to other patients.”

Medway NHS Foundation Trust which runs Medway Maritime Hospital was asked for a comment.

Chief nursing officer Evonne Hunt said: “We are extremely sorry about Mr Utting’s experience and take his concerns very seriously. We are investigating them carefully so that we can respond to him in full.

“We are committed to listening to our patients and learning from their experience to make improvements.”