West Norfolk woman claims Queen Elizabeth Hospital bed is making husband worse

A 71-year-old 6ft 4in West Norfolk man has said his condition has been made worse by being “stuffed” into a bed too small for him at Lynn’s Queen Eizabeth Hospital.

Richard Coleman’s wife Katrina, 69, has been left distraught at his treatment following a stroke and claimed the hospital is “treating him like a circus animal”

She claims the ex-policeman could have suffered “significant damage to his back”.

She said: “Richard is 6ft 4in and suffers from brittle discs in his back. One of the discs is actually wafer thin. This bed has exasperated his problems and hindered his healing following the stroke.

“When the consultant finally came he was horrified and said Richard needed a new bed immediately. He was in so much pain.

“At first, the QEH said they couldn’t provide a bigger bed as it only came in standard size, then when the consultant got involved a bed was delivered within four hours.

“When the time came for Richard to be discharged the care package went out of the window as the carers refused to look after him in a bed that didn’t rise up mechanically, so we were at a loss, he had to stay in the hospital, we asked for a bed to be sent to us so Richard could go home and begin recovering around all of his comforts.

“The hospital did eventually deliver a bed at home to us, which was also unfit, once again it was too small.

“The care plan was removed and Richard is now in hospital against his will; he just wants to be discharged but they won’t let him, because of the bed situation. It’s unacceptable, why can’t they just give him the right bed?”

Mrs Coleman, from a village near Swaffham, has had several meetings with staff in an “attempt to get Richard the care he needs and deserves”. She came away feeling angry.

Having spoken directly to the company supplying beds to the hospital she is convinced it was a decision made purely on financial and not clinical grounds.,

“It’s all about money. We’ve worked hard all of our lives and this is where our taxes have gone,” she said.

“Richard is so stressed, I’m surprised he hasn’t had another stroke.

“I will say that they are understaffed there, and I understand they have a difficult job, some of the nurses and healthcare assistants have been amazing but their lack of staff is greatly hindering patient care.”