A Shropshire man who has terminal cancer says he is “disgusted and appalled” by the lack of support he was given by a county hospital.
John Gilbert, 46, claims a consultant at Telford’s Princess Royal sat him down on a cardboard box in an “inappropriate” storeroom-office to break the news he had the disease in his spine, ribs and hips.
Mr Gilbert is also upset because he says people could hear when he was told he would lose use of his limbs.
He said a consultant pulled a curtain around his hospital bed and told him the cancer would lead to him losing the use of his arms and legs.
“I was basically told that I was dying and everyone on the ward could hear,” said Mr Gilbert of Woodside, Telford.
He said he was given no advice by the hospital about how he was to cope or where to seek counselling after being told he had cancer shortly before Christmas.
“Not once was I told what to do next and I was given no help or support such as counselling,” said Mr Gilbert. “I thought I was going mad.”
The former retained firefighter has since had radiotherapy and will soon be starting a course of chemo-therapy. If it works, he said, he will have another 12 to 18 months’ life but, if its doesn’t, he could be dead by May.
Six years ago he survived throat cancer.
He said: “I am disgusted and appalled at the way I have been treated.”
He has been receiving counselling from the Severn Hospice, something he says he arranged himself.
“They have been absolutely brilliant,” he added.
A spokesman for Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust said: “The trust is aware of how distressing it can be for patients to be told news about their condition and the trust is committed to supporting both patients and staff in these kinds of circumstances.
“If this gentleman wants to contact the trust directly with his concerns then we can ensure they are fully investigated.”
By Dave Morris
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