Bed shortage leaves Rotherham coma victim stranded in Spain

Relatives of Peter Hall, who has been in a coma for almost a month after collapsing due to a blood clot, were looking forward to him arriving back in Rotherham after being told that he was due to be flown home yesterday afternoon.

The family had endured an agonising wait for a bed to become available in a suitable unit at Rotherham General Hospital or the Royal Hallamshire in Sheffield.

Hospital officials finally confirmed yesterday—13 days after Mr Hall was given the all-clear to be repatriated—that a bed was now free for him in Rotherham.

They insisted that they had not been able to take him earlier because he needed treatment in the high dependency unit, which was full until yesterday.

The good news came just days after the family contacted the Advertiser and Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey in frustration at the situation.

It had left Mr Hall (67) for long spells without any family at his bedside in the small Spanish town of Burgos.

Mr Hall’s son Mark thanked the Advertiser and Mr Healey after learning that his dad was due to fly home.

He said: “We delighted that he’s coming back to Rotherham, but the whole experience has left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.

“If it had not been for John Healey and yourselves at the Advertiser getting involved then perhaps he could have been still laid out there on his own.”

Mr Hall, of Bramley Grange View, Bramley, collapsed in Spain while working for the Intersport motor racing team on September 20.

Staff at Burgos Hospital confirmed that he had suffered a blood clot and he was put in an induced coma after surgery.

Two weeks on from falling ill, a still-unconscious Mr Hall was given the all-clear to be flown home, but his family were repeatedly told that no suitable beds were free at either Rotherham or the Hallamshire.

It was not until yesterday that hospital officials said that he could be transferred to Rotherham General.

Earlier this week, Lauren said that the family had endured “a rollercoaster of frustration and sadness.”

She said yesterday: “I’m so annoyed about what we’ve been through but I’m just looking forward to having him home.”

A hospital spokeswoman said: “Originally, we were unable to accept Mr Hall on the high dependency unit due the care he required.

“His condition changed, which meant that we could provide care and we received a request for a bed in the unit for him at the beginning of the week.

“Up until this point, our unit has been full.

“The situation at the unit can change at a fast pace and unfortunately if the unit is full we are unable to accept patients.”

Mr Healey said: “I was sorry to hear about Mr Hall falling ill in Spain.

“I immediately began working with the insurance company and Rotherham Hospital to see what could be done to make sure he was brought back to Rotherham as quickly as possible.

“I am pleased that these efforts and those of the Advertiser seem to have paid off and hope that Mr Hall’s health continues to improve.”