A STOWMARKET woman has today told of her fears for her ill husband after claiming he was left in the same pair of pyjamas for two weeks at Ipswich Hospital.
A STOWMARKET woman has today told of her fears for her ill husband after claiming he was left in the same pair of pyjamas for two weeks at Ipswich Hospital.
Elsa Bourne's husband Douglas, 78, has Alzheimers and was admitted to the hospital five weeks ago when his condition deteriorated.
When she went to visit him a fortnight ago she said she was dismayed to find he was still wearing the same pyjamas his granddaughter had given to him on his birthday two weeks earlier.
Mrs Bourne, 75, of Violet Hill Road, said: "I could not believe he was still wearing them. He had at least two other pairs in his case next to the bed and they had not been touched.
"The pyjamas smelt when I took them off him."
The hospital have pledged to launch an investigation if Mrs Bourne contacts them but say until a formal complaint is made there is little they can do.
Mrs Bourne says she is also concerned there are no proper bathing facilities and has written to her MP David Ruffley to highlight the issues.
She said: "This situation is unacceptable. I am very worried about what would happen if anyone on that ward were to get a bug.
"We have been married for 54 years and I just don't want people to neglect him. I will fight until my last day for that.
"I care for him so much and I just want him to be safe and looked after."
Jan Rowsell, spokeswoman for the hospital, said: "We are all concerned to hear of these issues and we would encourage Mrs Bourne to get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can launch a thorough investigation.
"In general, all of our patients are offered clean pyjamas as and when they need them, which is sometimes on a daily basis."
She added there is a shower available on the wards for elderly patients but refurbishment work is currently underway on bathing facilities.
She said: "We would encourage everyone with any concerns to talk to us at the time so that we have a chance to try and put things right instantly."
Have you had similar problems to Mrs Bourne? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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