An Ipswich Hospital patient has been left in constant pain with a broken leg after her operation was delayed due to a lack of working surgical equipment, her partner has said.
The man, who did not wish to be named, has said the female casualty was not receiving pain management amid fears she could suffer further damage to her leg because of delays caused by safety checks following a review of the hospital's sterile services department.
The business development manager, who lives with her partner near Bury St Edmunds, fell after leaving the Pentahotel in Ranelagh Road, Ipswich, to attend a Christmas work party at Ipswich Town's Portman Road ground at the weekend.
READ MORE: Ipswich Hospital cancels operations over safety concerns
She shattered her fibula- or calf bone- in three places and suffered multiple other fractures, including in her foot and tibia, which is also in the calf.
Her partner described a 'bizarre' situation at the hospital with staff saying they did not have the sterilised kits to operate due to the hospital's sterile services unit being out of action and urging patients to contact the hospital's board to complain about the situation.
He said that because she had an accident in Ipswich, she had to go to Ipswich Hospital, but 'had he known' about the situation there he would have collected her and taken her elsewhere, while he was also considering paying for private treatment.
"Our biggest fear is that she could end up losing her leg. It is quite horrific.
"They can't manage the pain because it is so severe. They would not leave a dog like it, led alone a human being," her partner added.
She has been told the earliest day an operation could take place is Thursday.
Last week, the EADT revealed operations had been cancelled due to concerns over surgical equipment.
However, a spokesperson for the hospital said the checks on the equipment were part of a quality assurance review and no operations had been cancelled due to 'non-sterilised equipment'.
Dr Angela Tillett, chief medical officer at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Ipswich Hospital, said: “We are very sorry to hear about the concerns that have been raised with the East Anglian Daily Times.
“We would urge this patient, or a nominated family member, to contact our dedicated patient advice and liaison service (PALS) team so we can discuss her care at Ipswich Hospital with her directly. We are very keen to listen and to support her further.”
READ MORE: Suffolk news
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