Pensioner forced to walk in shame

APRIL 9: Chinderah pensioner Ray Watson said he was told to walk almost 10km home from The Tweed Hospital after staff would not organise a taxi or ambulance for him.

Patrick Williams

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News in pictures - April 2010

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A HALF-naked Chinderah pensioner was told he would have to walk almost 10km home after being discharged from The Tweed Hospital yesterday.

A shirtless Ray Watson, 59, made the humiliating trek through Tweed Heads South yesterday morning dressed only in pants and an open hospital gown, with electrodes and bandages still attached to his body.

Mr Watson said he had been told upon discharge by hospital staff they would not pay for a taxi or arrange an ambulance to take him home, despite the fact he had suffered a blackout following a series of chronic migraines less than 24 hours prior.

“It was an absolutely disgraceful way to treat a person,” Mr Watson said.

“I still wasn’t feeling the best after they discharged me. I was worried I would black out while I was crossing the road on my walk.”

Mr Watson, who lives on a disability pension, said he could not afford a taxi ride and had no family or friends to pick him up.

He said hospital staff initially promised him a lift home.

Despite his intentions, Mr Watson only made it about 3km to the office of Tweed MP Geoff Provest on Minjungbal Drive in Tweed Heads South, where he made a complaint about the hospital.

Mr Provest yesterday launched an inquiry into the matter through North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) chief executive Chris Crawford on behalf of Mr Watson.

A NCAHS spokeswoman last night said Mr Watson had discharged himself from hospital.

“He was offered assistance to get home but left before this could be arranged,” the spokeswoman said.

“If the patient is unable to have a friend or family to pick them up they are asked to provide their own transport home such as a taxi.

“If a patient is unable to afford public transport home, The Tweed Hospital looks at other options, which can provide transport for patients home.”

The spokeswoman said it was not common practice for ambulances to transport patients home.

Mr Watson was initially admitted to The Tweed Hospital after he blacked out in Kingscliff early on Wednesday morning.

He was last night resting at home after a ride was ultimately organised for him.