Man with amputated leg still in wheel chair instead of wheelchair six months after surgery

A Leicester man who had his leg amputated last December was given a chest of drawers on wheels to get from room to room because his bungalow was too narrow for a wheelchair. Half a year later – and beyond frustrated with his limited mobility – his partner, Tamara Given, said “you would never keep a dog like this”.

Jim Frith, who lives in Tarbat Road, Thurnby Lodge, was discharged on Boxing Day. Ms Given, who herself has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and spinal problems, said occupational health gave Mr Frith the chest of drawers as a “short-term fix” so he could move from one room to another . But she said that was almost six months ago.

Mrs Given said they needed help from housing to move to a more suitable property and he needed help from adult welfare as she was his only carer. They haven’t even had a follow-up appointment since his surgery, she added. She said: “It’s exhausting, nobody is listening to us and we’re really fed up now. We need help”.

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A council spokesman said they had placed Mr Frith on the highest priority category for relocation and in the meantime a housing officer would meet the couple to discuss other options. They said adult social care and occupational therapy would also look at interim measures.

Ms Given spoke to LeicestershireLive on Mr Frith’s behalf. She said: “My partner had his leg amputated last December and was then discharged on Boxing Day. Occupational health came to check that it was safe enough for him to be here. very close.

“We live in a bungalow that is not suitable for his needs. I can’t bring his wheelchair into the house unless it’s folded. Occupational health gave him a dresser as a short-term solution so he could slide out of a room. to the next But this has been happening for six months.

“I can only take him out to the garden out the back door. Then I have to push it forward on the dresser to get it into a car. Other than that, he just sits here, can’t do anything. You would never keep a dog like this.

“I’ve been like this for six months, something has to change now. My partner has to sleep on a sofa bed in the front room as he can’t access the bedroom. He also suffers from a lot of blood clots. The leg wound is just starting to heal now, it’s been so many months.

“She can’t go to physical therapy yet because of the infection in her. It should have gone in three months, once the wound healed. But because it’s an ongoing thing and he hasn’t even had a follow-up appointment from the hospital. Only when I contacted them, they did more scans, he had to contact the amputee center, they did not provide any help.

“We’ve lived here for seven years, we love it here, but Jim can’t live here anymore – that’s the problem. I suffer from severe COPD and spinal problems and can’t lift it or anything. If he is out and in his wheelchair, I push him and my consultant says you can’t, no one is listening and we really need help.

A council spokesman said: “We have placed Mr Frith in our highest priority category for relocation, which is Band 1. Unfortunately fully wheelchair accessible properties are in very limited supply, meaning that even in Band 1 there will be a wait until a property becomes available.

“A housing officer is due to meet Mr Frith and his wife next week to discuss any other options that may be available. A visit by a member of the adult social work team and an occupational therapist was also arranged to look at any interim measures that could be put in place to help him in his current home. “

A spokesman for University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said: “The communications team cannot comment on patients or deal with this type of inquiry. I would advise the patient to contact the outpatient booking center first.

“There is also our confidential Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) which supports patients to resolve issues and address concerns.” Contact details have been provided to Mr Frith.