A PENSIONER whose says his wife's life was saved by the Bartlet Hospital today spoke of his great sadness and disgust that the convalescent and rehabilitation unit is to close.

A PENSIONER whose says his wife's life was saved by the Bartlet Hospital today spoke of his great sadness and disgust that the convalescent and rehabilitation unit is to close.

Charles Dewen said without the Bartlet and its wonderful staff his wife Eve would be dead.

“The doctor told me she would not live through the night and they even asked me which undertaker I would prefer,” said Mr Dewen, 69, of Kingsfleet Road, Felixstowe.

“But she survived that night and thanks to the wonderful care of the staff at the Bartlet she is alive and well today and doing really well.

“If there had been no Bartlet, Eve would have been with me at home, waiting for nurses to turn up occasionally to give her care, medication or take her blood pressure.

“At the Bartlet she had constant care and it was that which saved her.

“I don't know what we shall do without the Bartlet and other hospitals like it. I am not convinced these teams of carers looking after people in their homes will work - people will just keep being resubmitted to hospital.

“I could not look after my wife on my own - that is why she is now in a care home in the town - and there will be many husbands and wives who cannot look after their partners if they are sent home early from hospital.

“They will end up as bed blockers in busy Ipswich Hospital, which is not best place to convalesce.

“I think it is very sad the Bartlet is to close. But I am also disgusted because I think we will regret it. I wish there was some lottery winner out there who could fund a barrister so we could take this to court and fight it further.”

Mrs Dewen, 75, suffers from a variety of ailments including severe arthritis, emphysema, bronchiectasis and breathing problems. She was admitted to Ipswich Hospital after her condition deteriorated last year before being sent to the Bartlet to convalesce.

Mr Dewen said his wife was now breathing unaided and her health had improved greatly.

The Felixstowe Save Our Hospitals Action Group (SOHAG) will meet in the next few days to consider its options - one route could be a judicial review but this would cost thousands.

Chairman Roy Gray said: “I have spoken to the staff at the Bartlet and while they expected closure would probably happen, they are still very upset that it has finally happened.”

WEBLINK: www.suffolkeast.nhs.uk

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