Another harrowing Timaru hospital experience

In a separate case, Timaru Hospital discharged patients when it temporarily shut down a ward over the festive season, creating a ‘‘harrowing experience’’ for one 92-year-old woman.

Christine Collingwood’s mother, Ngarita Belsea, was admitted to Timaru hospital with a fractured back after a fall on December 7.

Collingwood, who lives in Blenheim, said her mum was discharged a week later on December 14 and was taken home by her nephew in his car.

‘‘Normally I believe you would be transferred to recovery and physio for assessment and should never be released until bowels are working normally,’’ Collingwood said.

‘‘Mum was constipated and had had no bowel movements since the fall, but was discharged anyway.’’

Three days later, the elderly woman had to be taken back to hospital in an ambulance.

‘‘Leaving an elderly person living alone without family to check on them when they are immobile and in pain is terrible,’’ she said.

‘‘She was also feeling very insecure.’’

Collingwood, who has now moved her mum to a rest home in Blenheim, believed it happened because the staff were trying to keep patient numbers down.

There was no record of Collingwood laying a formal complaint to

Trainor said.

‘‘We invite Colleen Collingwood, as we do anyone who experiences something that doesn’t feel right, to share their feedback with us so we can work together to achieve an outcome that makes our health system stronger.’’

Samesh Mohanlall the SCDHB,