A MOTHER claims a hospital’s care has let down her brain-damaged son and said: “He’s been left to vegetate.”
Jean Collins, 51, has been forced to complain to hospital bosses over the way son Curtis, 27, has been treated.
Curtis was left with severe brain damage after being brutally attacked in Huddersfield town centre on August Bank Holiday Monday.
He will need long-term care and may never make a full recovery.
After the attack Curtis was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and transferred to Leeds General Infirmary two days later.
For the last three weeks he has been on Ward 25, a neurological ward at the LGI.
Mum-of-three Jean, who has a son Christopher, 31, who has special needs, told the Examiner she was appalled at her son’s care – or lack of it.
She described Ward 25 as being like “an old mental institution” and said: “It’s unbelievable. It’s like he’s just been left to vegetate.”
Jean told how:
She turned up at the hospital on Friday to find her son “saturated” in his own urine after his catheter bag burst also soaking his pillows and sheets;
Curtis was left covered in his own faeces;
She had been forced to buy him incontinence pants because the pads he was given were inadequate;
He was often left alone when he needed someone to watch over him;
Chairs were placed around his bed to prevent him falling out or banging his head on the wall when the chairs could have caused more harm;
Two urine infections were not picked up by nurses and it was she who had to alert staff to his symptoms;
She complained that Curtis seemed to be “wasting away” and he was found to be dehydrated;
She had to deal with her son’s bed sores and buy him some creams.
Jean said she was angry over her son’s care but added: “I’m not some irate mum.
“I have another son who has special needs so I know all about hospital care and what to expect.
“You have to fight for your kids. Curtis can’t speak for himself so I am his voice.”
Curtis, who lived with his mum in London, was staying in Huddersfield seeing friends when the attack happened.
He was out in a group when there was a row. He was allegedly punched to the ground and had his head kicked and stamped on.
He suffered head and chest injuries in the attack which took place at 5.25am in Byram Street near the junction with Brook Street.
Jean, formerly of Huddersfield, is now staying in West Yorkshire until she can move her son to a specialist unit in London.
Curtis is unresponsive and unable to communicate and Jean said: “I know I want him moved to London, but it is like the hospital has given up on him.
“It might be a year or two until he improves and he needs physio and therapy.
“He is getting 10 or 15 minutes of physio three times a week, but that’s not enough.
“You have to fight for your kids. You can’t give up on them.”
Jean told how she received a call at 6.45am from Curtis’ girlfriend telling her he had been attacked.
Jean jumped on a train at King’s Cross and came straight to Huddersfield. She has been there for her son every day since.
“I have brought up my kids the right way,” she said. “Everybody loved Curtis.
“If I let it hit me what’s happened to him I will break down and that’s no good to him.”
A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, which runs the LGI, said: “Nursing sisters on the ward are in regular dialogue with Mrs Collins at what is clearly a very distressing time for the family.
“Provision has been made to nurse Curtis in a safe environment with appropriate observation by staff.
“We are very sorry to hear that Mrs Collins is unhappy with his care and the matron who covers the ward will be meeting her to further understand her concerns and look into any specific issues.”
Police described the attack on Curtis as “brutal” and have issued a new appeal for information. Three men were arrested and released on bail pending further inquiries.
