AN ELDERLY man admitted to Queen Mary’s Hospital for routine knee surgery was left with an agonising bedsore the size of a grapefruit on his backside.

Bed-ridden Kenneth Knight, 71, of Iron Mill Lane, Crayford, was admitted to the hospital in Chislehurst Road, Sidcup, on April 20 for corrective knee surgery.

He expected the procedure to be straightforward but says neglect by nursing staff and filthy conditions led to him developing a large bedsore on his behind which was both painful and weeping badly.

“It was a puss-filled mass the size of a grapefruit,” he said.

“I was assured by a nurse at the hospital before I left that it was fine but when I got home no amount of shifting or movement brought any relief whatsoever.” He has been in severe pain in bed since May 29 and the sore may take months to heal. “Preparations are also being made for me to see a tissue specialist for re-constructive surgery to take place on the site of the wound.” A spokesman from Queen Mary’s said: “We are undertaking a full investigation into Mr Knight’s concerns and will write to him with the results of these inquiries immediately they are completed.

“We feel it would be unethical to discuss the treatment of an individual patient in the press as this would be a breach of patient confidentiality.”