A MAN was left to walk 16 miles at 3am just days after an operation when he was discharged from the hospital without any help to get home.

John Griffiths was taken by ambulance to A&E at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on April 28 after he got an infected wound from an operation he had the day before for an umbilical hernia.

The 60-year-old was then discharged from the Worcester hospital at 3am on April 29 but had no money to get a taxi and no one to give him a lift back to his home in Evesham.

He claims he was told that he did not meet the criteria for the hospital to get him a taxi and he would have to make his own way back home, which was 16 miles away. 

"I had a six or seven-inch cut in my stomach, am disabled, have arthritis, and I am 60 - what are the criteria for them to call you a taxi?

"I feel sorry for other people in the same situation.

"I am very religious, and I prayed walking out of the hospital car park and prayed to God to give me strength to get to the train station," he said.

Mr Griffiths said he had no money on him but had managed to get some money from his daughter for his train fare and walked from Worcestershire Royal Hospital to Shrub Hill Station to get the train into Evesham.

He then waited, standing outside the train station for over an hour until the station opened, and he got on his train to Evesham at 5.15am.

His daughter, Lorna Griffiths, had offered to pay for a taxi but, with money being short, Mr Griffiths wanted her to spend the £40 on her son's up and up and coming birthday. 

Another daughter Caitlin Griffiths said: "It makes me angry with the hospital. 

"It is supposed to be a safe place, and the treatment my dad got did not make it feel like a safe place.

"My dad is the type of person who does not show emotions, but I believe it's upset him."

According to Mr Griffiths, when he told the nurse he had no other way home but to walk because of his financial situation, the nurse only told him to be careful before sending him on his way.

The situation has raised concerns in the family about the treatment of others who may not have the means to get home after visiting A&E.

Stephen Collman, managing director of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We always aim to treat people compassionately and with care.

"If any of our patients ever feel that this is not the case, it’s really important that they let us know so we can look into any concerns they have.

"We would urge Mr Griffiths or his family to get in touch with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

"I can promise them that any issues they raise will be looked into properly and if something has gone wrong we will reflect, learn and put in place any necessary changes.”