Dad-of-two nearly died during Caribbean cruise
From The Sun UKDad-of-two nearly died during Caribbean cruise after ending up with horrific bed sores from ‘dirty’ Barbados hospital after being struck down with pneumonia
His wife was told to say her goodbyes after medics claimed husband was going to die of double pneumonia
David Ramsey was left fighting for his life after contracting double pneumonia on a Caribbean cruise
But the couple’s dream holiday turned into a nightmare as David collapsed in Barbados just days before they were due to fly home.
The 48-year-old spent 10 days at a Barbados hospital, which his wife claims was “dirty” and “looked like something from the 1920s”.
She claims David was tied to a bed for three days to stop him from falling out and he developed sores on his hand, foot and the bottom of his back.
David has returned to the UK but is still receiving treatment for his injuries, which he claims he sustained in the hospital.
Now the couple has been slapped with a £19,000 bill for the treatment the dad received abroad.
Liz, 51, of Blyth, Northumberland, said: “I was absolutely terrified seeing David get worse and worse. It was like he was in a prison.
“The beds were all dirty and the hospital looked run down. It was just filthy. I’ve never been so scared.”
The couple headed for the Caribbean Islands on November 4 last year, having saved for more than 18 months to go on holiday.
But as their trip was drawing to a close, David started to feel light headed and collapsed.
He was treated by medics on the ship before he was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Bricklayer David was immediately rushed to intensive care after doctors discovered he was suffering from double pneumonia.
Liz said: “It was then the doctors came out and told me that my husband was going to die and to get any family members over.
“It was horrible as I was on my own. Three days later they said they were going to try and take him off the ventilation.
“They said that if he didn’t start breathing on his own then they were going to have to let him go.”
After a couple of days, dad-of-two David showed signs of recovery and was transferred to another ward at the hospital.
Liz said: “The nurses tied him to the bed for three days with bandages because they said he was at risk of falling out.
“He then started getting cuts on his hand and the nurse said he was allergic to the plasters but that never happens in England.
“He was covered in bed sores and I was seeing him get worse. The level of care at the hospital was disgusting.”
After spending 10 days in hospital, David was released on November 30 and flew back to the UK four days later.
However, he is currently receiving treatment and physiotherapy at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary up to three times a week to treat his injuries.
Liz, who works in health and social care, said her husband has been referred to a plastic surgeon who is considering doing a skin graft.
The couple were then left outraged after being told they must pay £19,000 for the treatment David received at the Barbados hospital and aboard the ship.
Liz said: “Our insurance company is dealing with it but we have come home and have nothing.
“Neither of us can work while David is ill and because we both work for agencies we are having to rely on benefits.
“David is still having nightmares of being in that hospital. We just don’t know where to turn.”
Both the hospital and the insurance company were contacted for a comment.
IMAGES: NCJMEDIA
He was treated in a Barbados hospital where he claims he suffered horrific bed sores and was tied to the bed
His wife Liz says doctors told her he was going to die and to say her goodbyes
She said conditions at the hospital were ‘disgusting’ and ‘like something out of the 1920s’
David is still receiving treatment in the UK for his injuries and has been told he owes the hospital and cruise ship doctors £19,000 for his care
For more on this story go to; https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2732031/dad-of-two-nearly-died-during-caribbean-cruise-after-ending-up-with-horrific-bed-sores-from-dirty-barbados-hospital-after-being-struck-down-with-pneumonia/
