Review call after OAP's discharge

Mr and Mrs Culshaw have called for a review into Glan Clwyd's actions

A wife has called for an inquiry after a hospital sent home her 81-year-old husband just a day after he underwent major surgery for cancer.

Elizabeth Culshaw has demanded answers after what she called the "disgusting" treatment of her husband Harold at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan.

Mr Culshaw, from Ruthin, Denbighshire, also suffers from Alzheimer's Disease.

A hospital spokeswoman said they knew of the concerns and were talking to the family but would not comment further.

Mr Culshaw was admitted to hospital on 24 October and underwent breast cancer surgery the following day.

Doctors removed his lymph glands and performed a full mastectomy.

On 26 October he was discharged, and according to Mrs Culshaw, they received no help in dressing her husband or walking him to a car outside.

"Disoriented"

She said: "I rang the district nurse when I got home and told her what had happened.

"She was absolutely horrified he had been let out 24 hours after major surgery.

"She got in touch with our local GP and he contacted Ruthin hospital. He was taken there by ambulance and stayed until 13 November."

Mrs Culshaw, 61, claimed she rang Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to find out why her husband was discharged, and was told he was disoriented and aggressive towards staff.

Mrs Culshaw said the consultant looking after her husband was "excellent."

She claims he later told her he would not have released her husband for four or five days - but said he was told by nurses Mr Culshaw was well enough and wanted to go home.

Glan Clwyd Hospital staff are "aware of the family's concerns"

She added: "We were not satisfied so we went to see our MP David Jones and he has supported us throughout.

"We want an independent review. I'm disgusted with his treatment.

"For a man to have breast cancer is extremely rare and traumatic anyway, but his experience has been made even worse.

"Ruthin hospital coped with him for two-and-a-half weeks - why couldn't the premier regional treatment centre handle him?"

David Jones, Clwyd West MP, said: "This is a case that has disturbed me considerably. "I have advised Mrs Culshaw to take the complaint to the Independent Review Secretariat in Mold and I would prefer to await the outcome of the review before commenting further."

A spokeswoman for Ysbyty Glan Clwyd said: "We can not comment because of patient confidentiality.

"However, we are aware of the family's concerns and are in discussion with them."