LEFT on a trolley for five hours at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Michael Garland thought his ordeal was over when he was finally seen by doctors to treat his stroke.
But in truth, his health problems were only just beginning. The 79-year-old from Stroud spent the next 10 days at GRH recovering on ward 6B.
But he developed a chest infection, which he says wasn't treated, and was moved on to Stroud General Hospital.
His condition worsened, but it was 24 hours before he was seen by a doctor there.
Michael's son Sean said he should never have been moved, but medical notes state: "Patient agreed to transfer due to bed crisis at GRH."
Sean is furious about the situation.
"Doctors signed dad off as fit enough to be moved," he said. "When I visited him in Stroud, he looked weak and was developing a pain in his side. He was nearly in tears."
Michael's condition was due to be checked on Sunday evening. A doctor didn't arrive until 24 hours later.
"He had developed a high temperature and severe diarrhoea so moved him to a side room," said Sean.
"A nurse had been paging for a doctor, but no one had come. She could do nothing until he had been seen.
"Dr Mahnaz Alsharif finally arrived at 7.20pm, took one listen to his chest and said he need antibiotics immediately and he should not have been moved."
Michael was taken by ambulance to Cheltenham General Hospital as GRH was full.
Stroud General is one of seven community hospitals managed by Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust.
Susan Field, director of operations at the Trust, said: "We are sorry to hear about the experiences of Mr Garland and his family, and would like to assure them we do investigate fully any complaints we receive. It is the policy at our community hospitals not to accept the transfer of any patients who are not deemed medically fit for discharge. We are unable to make any further comments at the moment."
A spokesman from the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are aware Mr Garland's son has concerns regarding his care and has been in touch with our PALS department who have advised him to make a formal complaint, in writing. We will naturally conduct a thorough investigation. We are sorry Mr Garland's son has been unhappy with aspects of his care."