54 years in same hospital
Disabled ex-soldier who went into an NHS ward at 21 dies there aged 75
For 54 years James Morris stayed in the same NHS hospital receiving continuous care.
He regarded the nurses almost like family while the ward he shared with other patients became his home.
It wasn’t much of a life, but severely-disabled Mr Morris was able to enjoy family holidays and trips to the pub.
And on Easter Sunday the former soldier died, aged 75, ending what is thought to be the longest period spent in an NHS hospital.
His younger brother said James was ‘all there mentally’ but couldn’t use any of his limbs, and after being struck down as a young man learned to say only three words again – his favourite things ‘home, pub and horses’.
Karl Morris, 62, added: ‘ over the years we found a way to communicate with him. He would blink his eyes or stick his tongue out. We often took him on holidays in Britain and the hospital knew how much he loved the pub so they would even take him there now and again.
‘Everyone at the hospital was outstanding, to care for a man throughout his entire life is quite something and we couldn’t be more grateful to the NHS.’
James was serving with the Army in Germany when he broke a leg in a road accident in 1962. He had what should have been routine surgery but suffered a cardiac arrest on the operating table and brain damage that left him unable to do anything for himself.
After a short period in other hospitals, the 21- year- old became the first patient at Wester Moffat Hospital in Lanarkshire when it opened its doors to disabled young people 54 years ago.
over time the hospital changed to caring for elderly people. James grew older with the patients and never moved.
His father Charles died aged 41 but his mother Mary, who had two daughters as well as the two boys, visited her son in hospital several times a week.
When she died aged 73 other family members made sure he got regular visits.
Karl, from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, would take his brother to the pub for a ‘ half pint of beer’ and indulge his other passion by reading out names of racehorses and putting a small wager on one if his brother showed a response.
Praising Wester Moffat, he added: ‘over the years I’ve seen countless patients and staff come and go. The staff were unbelievable and because James was a mad lover of Elvis they even organised special nights which he enjoyed.’
Six years ago Karl was asked by staff if he wanted his brother to be moved to a nursing home.
The idea was rejected as the family believed James would ‘never have lasted’ at a new place with different people looking after him. ‘It was a second home to him,’ said Karl.
An NHS spokesman said they were unaware of a patient spending longer in their care.
Karl is now hoping to find out more about his brother’s accident while serving with the Cameronians (Scottish rifles) by searching through archived documents.
James was found behind the wheel of a Jeep, turned on its side, having hit a tree.
Karl said: ‘I’m in the process of finding out the true story. What we do know is that he had no sleep for 24 hours.’