A FRAIL elderly patient took a fall after he was sent home alone from hospital at night — and ended up with pneumonia.

John Mullen, 85, who lives in Greenock’s Roxburgh Way, went to Inverclyde Royal after feeling seriously unwell.

He was examined in the admissions ward by medics but told that he was fine to be discharged that night.

After taking a taxi home to his ground floor flat, Mr Mullen slipped in his bathroom and damaged his ribs and two days later was admitted to IRH.

The senior citizen, who suffers from serious chest infections and previously spent two years in the Larkfield Unit, told the Tele that when he was re-admitted the doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia.

Mr Mullen, who is now recovering at home, said: “I wasn’t well. I had a sore chest and I went to the hospital. The doctor gave me a scan and they told me there was nothing in my chest. I was told I had constipation.

“They sent me home in a taxi at six o’clock at night on my own.

“I came in and I slipped in the bathroom and I broke four ribs “I was in agony but made it back to my bed.

“I was sent back to hospital a couple of days later. At the hospital they told me I had pneumonia. They apologised profusely.” Mr Mullen says he spent the next 11 days in Inverclyde Royal recovering.

He recently appeared in the Tele along with his neighbour to raise concerns about mushrooms growing on the wall backing onto his bedroom.

Now confined to his bed in a cold room riddled with dampness, John blames the fungus growing in the close that backs onto his bedroom for his chest complaints.

John said: “I mean, how can you get better from a chest infection when there is dampness everywhere?” NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that this patient was referred to medical admissions ward at Inverclyde Royal Hospital (IRH) on May 20th by the GP out of hours service.

“He was further assessed by the medical team and a management plan agreed allowing him to be discharged home. At this time his clinical condition showed no sign of infection.

“The patient was brought back to the IRH on May 22nd after a fall. He was admitted and remained in hospital for a number of days.

“We are sorry this patient has issues with the care he received. We would be happy for him to contact us direct to address any concerns he may have.” The Tele contacted John’s landlords River Clyde Homes two weeks ago about the mushrooms growing in his close in Roxburgh Way.

Bosses at the housing association told us that they were set to deal with the issue when a second phase of improvements begins in the area. They also said they would have a contractor on site to remove the fungal growth and apply a spray.