Essex veteran 'stuck' in hospital for several weeks

Michael Dowland, 72, served in the British Army for more than 40 years as a Warrant Officer and has been honoured for his service with the British Empire Medal. 

Son Jamie, 46, described his father as a "legend" and dedicated member of the community, who regularly visited boxing gyms around the city following his success as a British amateur champion in the 1970s. 

Now, the Dowland family are desperate to find a care home for Michael. 

Family - Michael and son Jamie, 46 (Image: Jamie Dowland)

Jamie said: “Seven weeks ago my father had a really bad fall, which left the back of his head badly injured. 

“After a week at Colchester Hospital, he was improving and was looking to be released when we were informed by the care home, they could not care for him.” 

Due to his dementia and Parkinson's diagnosis, Michael had been living in a Clacton care home since March, because falls at home made it difficult for his family to care for him without professional help. 

But his family are struggling to find a new care home in the Colchester area and close to Berechurch, where he used to live. 

Jamie said: “He’s stuck on a ward in the hospital. A discharge manager told me we might have to look at homes as far as Lowestoft.” 

The family say that distance is unacceptable, and Michael’s wife Elizabeth, who is having treatment for cancer, was already struggling to make daily journeys to Clacton to see him. 

Jamie said: “You can’t expect her to go out that far - it’s disgusting. 

Visits - Michael's wife Elizabeth has been visiting him every day at the care home and hospital (Image: Jamie Dowland)

“Somebody who served his country for so long still gets this treatment? It shows the failure of the system.” 

Berechurch councillor Dave Harris said: “This is an awful situation. My heart goes out to constituents who served their country and now need support. 

“I am writing to Essex County social care heads to get some support.” 

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “Our adult social care team works closely with colleagues at Colchester General Hospital to support people’s discharge, which is led by the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust. 

“Where possible, we will always support people into accommodation close to their family and networks.  

“Above all, accommodation must be suitable for a person’s needs to ensure they are safe and well-supported following discharge from hospital.”