Sick Briton refused UK hospital bed
Updated on 03 December 2008
A British tourist paralysed in Sweden was refused treatment at his local UK hospital because there were no intensive care beds available, it was reported.
Medics in Stockholm twice organised air ambulances for Michael Kelly, 69, from Southwark, central London, but on both occasions London's King's College Hospital said they did not have any room.
According to The Sun, Mr Kelly is paralysed with a broken neck after he fell backwards down a flight of stairs at a friend's home. It is feared he could have lost the use of his arms and legs forever.
He said: "My situation is desperate. I need to be home. Every time I prepare to go it's called off."
A King's College Hospital spokesman said: "On Thursday we were contacted by neurosurgeons at the Karolinska Hospital in Sweden asking us to admit patient Michael Kelly onto an intensive care bed at King's.
"We informed specialists at the Karolinska Hospital that we would admit Mr Kelly as soon as an intensive care bed became available.
"However, at no point between Thursday and Monday did we inform Mr Kelly's doctors that an intensive care bed was available at King's, or that an air ambulance transfer should be arranged. This is because no intensive care beds were available for new admissions at that time."
He added: "We have now arranged to admit Mr Kelly to an intensive care bed on Thursday. We are committed to continuing his care and rehabilitation at this, his local neurosurgical hospital.
"We are keeping the patient and his medical team in Sweden fully up to date with developments.
"We understand from specialists in charge of Mr Kelly's care that the patient is stable - and has been for the last four weeks - and that his condition is not immediately life-threatening."
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