AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a man suffering from a painful abdominal infection was sent home from the Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s emergency department with laxatives.

Bob Mason, of Christchurch, first became ill while travelling home from France with his wife Jill. He was taken to hospital by ambulance as soon as the Brittany Ferries ship arrived in Portsmouth on May 18.

Doctors at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham diagnosed Henoch Schoenlein Purpura, a disease that causes small blood vessels in the skin to leak because of inflammation.

The disease is rare in adults and is thought to be caused by an abnormal immune reaction. Symptoms usually start with a rash and can include abdominal pain, joint pain and kidney problems.

Mr Mason was allowed home the following day on the understanding that he went to his local hospital. He visited his GP on May 20, who rang the Royal Bournemouth to arrange admission.

By then Mr Mason had severe abdominal swelling and pain, his blood pressure was high and he was dehydrated. He had also been vomiting and had not eaten for nine days.

“We said we would make our own way over there. We thought it would ease the pressure for them,” said Mrs Mason.

“We went into A & E and Bob was the only patient there. His pain was starting to get out of control. It was distressing to watch him.”

The couple claim Mr Mason had to wait in agony for between 40 minutes and an hour before seeing a doctor, who diagnosed constipation.

An out of hours GP saw Mr Mason at his home three days later, and sent him back to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital by ambulance with peritonitis. He is now under the care of the renal team at Dorset County Hospital.

A spokesperson for the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust said: “We are sorry that Mr Mason does not feel that the standard of care he received when visiting the emergency department recently was satisfactory.

“The trust has not received a formal complaint from Mr Mason personally. However, we would be happy to discuss the care he received with him if he wishes.

“We have received an inquiry from his MP, which we are investigating following our normal complaints procedure.”