WORRIED ... Wayne Jones and his mother Maria, who are concerned about medical treatment of father and husband Brian A SCARBOROUGH man has blamed delays and a lack of communication in Scarborough and Bridlington healthcare services for the rapid decline in his father's health. Wayne Jones, 31, of Victoria Street, his mother Maria Jones, 59, of Bridlington, and sister Sharon Jones, 28, of Barnsley, fear Brian Jones, 59, may have to have a foot amputated due to gangrene and septicaemia.

Mr Jones, who has Parkinson's disease, had been suffering from ulcerated legs and was admitted to Scarborough Hospital for three weeks at the end of April. He spent a further week in Bridlington Hospital before he was allowed to go home.

District nurses visited Mr Jones at home to dress the ulcers but they continued to worsen.

Mrs Jones said: “The nurse said a doctor would visit, but that didn't happen.

“When he did see the doctor he was told there was nothing surgically they could do for him and that he needed compression dressings on the wounds.”

District nurses continued to visit daily to change the dressings but, in between visits, Mrs Jones noticed one of her husband's toes was going black.

Mrs Jones said: “Again the district nurse requested a visit from the doctor, but he didn't come. When he did get to see him the doctor said Brian would have to go to hospital straight away because it was gangrene.”

Once Mr Jones had been readmitted to hospital he was found to be suffering from septicaemia. He missed a slot to have an MRI scan in Scarborough as his leg was too painful, and his family are concerned how long he will have to wait for a scan.

His son said: “The MRI is only open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and we were told results are only discussed every Tuesday. We are getting told one thing from one person, and one from another. It looks to me like it's to do with money.”

Gilly Collinson, communications officer at Scarborough Hospital, said: “I'm sorry Mr Jones' family are concerned about the care he is receiving. We can't comment on details relating to individual patients, but, other than for emergencies, we are only able to use the MRI scanner three days a week, because that is what the level of funding allows.

“We will always take into account the urgency of the need for a scan, and also whether or not the patient is well enough to undergo the procedure. If Mr Jones' family have his agreement, I would suggest they get in touch with our PALS department. One of our PALS officers would be more than happy to look into the individual circumstances and listen to their concerns.”

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers support, information and help to patients, their families and visitors. It can be contacted at the Main Reception of Scarborough Hospital.

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