(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
A County Durham dad-of-two says he has been left struggling to come to terms with having his leg amputated below the knee after a wound on his foot failed to heal.
Gerald Edward Foster, 64, from Chilton, says the problems began around five years ago when he stood on a stone and suffered an injury to his foot.
Mr Foster, who has diabetes, said he did not initially realise the seriousness of the injury and later developed a diabetic ulcer.
He underwent surgery at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where his toes and part of his foot were removed, leaving a "gaping hole" which remained open for about 18 months, and he was later told he needed his leg amputated below the knee.
Now, he is pursuing legal action against the NHS after claiming the amputation would not have had to happen had the initial wound been properly treated. The South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs James Cook Hospital, said it was unable to comment on individual patients or ongoing legal claims.
"The wound never properly closed," he said. "I was getting it dressed every two days and whatever they put on it didn't make a difference."
Gerald Edward Foster from Chilton who had his leg amputated after a hole in his foot after an operation.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Mr Foster said the original surgeon later went off sick and he was seen by another specialist in Bishop Auckland.
However, he claims he was subsequently told that an infection may have reached the bone and that he faced having his leg amputated below the knee. Following further examinations, he was warned that if he did not agree to the operation, an amputation above the knee could eventually be necessary.
"I asked if it was due to the hole in my foot because I've got an infection and his exact words were: 'I wouldn't like to say'," Mr Foster said.
"I think taking my leg off was caused by the wound being open. It never healed.”
The physical changes to his body have also been significant, severely impacting his mobility. He went from wearing a size 12 shoe to a size six following the initial surgery.
Gerald Edward Foster from Chilton who had his leg amputated after a hole in his foot after an operation.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The father-of-two said he still struggles to understand why the wound was allowed to remain open for so long.
He added: "I still can't get my head around it.
"I was never told why they left a hole in the bottom of my foot for that long. Why wasn't it closed? It was just left open."
The impact has also extended beyond his physical health. Mr Foster had started a new job at Hydram Engineering in Chilton shortly before the injury and had expected it to be his final job before retirement.
Gerald Edward Foster from Chilton who had his leg amputated after a hole in his foot after an operation.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
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Instead, he had to leave work and use his savings, while he received no financial support during periods in hospital.
"It has been a drain on my wife and kids," he said. "We have done nothing for the last five years because I haven't been able to do anything."
A South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust spokesperson said: "To protect patient confidentiality and respect ongoing legal processes, the organisation cannot comment on individual patients or active legal claims."