A PATIENT was twice sent home from Southend Hospital and told to take painkillers despite suffering a fractured spine, leaving his family furious. 

The 35-year-old, who is classed as a vulnerable adult suffered a fall down the stairs at his home in Southend last week. 

Despite being in significant pain, he was told by the hospital he had only suffered fractures in his ribs and collarbone. 

Days later he returned, but was once again told there was “nothing” the hospital could do and prescribed painkillers.

However, on Monday his family received an urgent call from the hospital telling them to return to the hospital after further checks of the X-Ray revealed a fracture in his spine. 

His brother, Joseph O’Brien, has now lodged a complaint with the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust - which manages Southend Hospital - over the treatment. 

Treatment - Brother, Joseph O’Brien, left furiousTreatment - Brother, Joseph O’Brien, left furious (Image: Joseph O’Brien)Joseph added: “Hospital staff told us there was nothing they could do for him and he was advised to go home and take paracetamol.”

After the second visit to hospital, on Monday the patient was prescribed codeine. 

“An hour later we got a call from the hospital, saying that he needed to come back to A&E as there was a severe traumatic injury and he needed a CT scan,” Joseph said. 

“The surgeon who reviewed the new CT scan told us that alongside six broken ribs, and a fractured collar bone, he had in fact got a fracture in the upper part of the spine.

“He is now on a ward being kept in for monitoring, pain management and also so he can have help getting washed as he is unable to do this on his own.”

Southend Hospital has since apologised to the family.

Joseph added: “This is a massive failure of care for not only someone with these injuries but also a vulnerable adult. I am absolutely furious.

“When I expressed my concerns to the staff in the hospital, they seemed disinterested, uncaring, with no other explanation but to go through PALS.

“Why were the proper scans not done initially, how can a fracture of the spine be missed? It is shocking.”

In response, Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, said: “We are sorry the family feel the care he received wasn’t what they expected.

“We would ask the family to please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service for further advice and support and they will investigate.”