(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
A Newton Aycliffe dad says his life has “changed forever” after a cut on his toe led to his leg being amputated below the knee.
Andrew Holmes, 61, who has diabetes, says the problems began in early January when a wound on the top of his toe became worse.
He attended his GP on January 14, and was told to go straight to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where he says his foot had started to turn black.
Mr Holmes said he waited around 10 hours in Darlington's emergency department before being admitted and was later told he should be started on a protocol for suspected sepsis. He believes staff at Darlington Memorial Hospital should have acted more quickly to assess and treat his worsening foot condition, and claims this could have given him a better chance of avoiding amputation.
A hospital spokesperson said they were reviewing his care are apologised for the impact it has had on his family.
Mr Holmes wanted to share his story after reading about a similar case involving Chilton man Gerald Edward Foster, who also had diabetes and underwent a below-knee amputation following a foot wound.
Andrew Holmes
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Mr Holmes, who is now seeking legal advice, said: “I just think Darlington sat on me too long. If I had gone straight to James Cook with it, I think they would have done something quicker and I might have still lost my foot, but I might have had a better chance of keeping it.
“That is what I believe. I do not know why it happened, but I just think the treatment should have been quicker.”
He said his condition worsened during his admission and that he later suffered two heart attacks four days later.
Andrew claims it took staff 15 minutes to revive him following one of the heart attacks.
He said: “I had two heart attacks while I was there, and they took 15 minutes to revive me.
“I woke up and my toe was gone, and there was a huge cut in my foot.
“It was like a canyon in my foot. There was a big wound, and it was still black. It was horrible.”
Andrew Holmes
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Mr Holmes was then transferred to The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough on January 20, where he said surgeons removed three further toes as they tried to stop the infection spreading.
He praised staff at the hospital on ward 28, and said doctors had been open about the severity of his condition.
“They said to me, ‘We are not trying to save your foot. We are trying to save your life,’” he said.
“The staff at James Cook were amazing. I will not have a word said against them. They explained the options to me, and they were honest with me.”
The 61 -year-old said doctors told him they could attempt to save his foot, but that it could take months of treatment and further surgery, with no guarantee it would work.
He said: “They said we might end up taking all your toes off, then a bit of your foot, then your ankle. It could keep going.
“I just said, ‘Look, take my leg off.’ It was my decision because I felt it would be easier to start again and learn to walk with a prosthetic.”
The father of three then underwent a below-knee amputation at the beginning of February and has since been learning to walk again with a prosthetic leg.
He said physiotherapy staff in Bishop Auckland have supported him to regain some independence, while adaptations including handrails and changes to his shower have been made at home.
Andrew Holmes who had his leg amputated.
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
However, he says the amputation has made everyday activities much more difficult.
Mr Holmes said: “You cannot just get up and go to the bathroom in the night. You have to put your leg on. You have to think about every little thing.
“Getting in the shower is still difficult. It has changed my life forever.”
He says the experience has also affected his confidence and the way he feels people treat him.
“When I was in a wheelchair, I always said I felt invisible,” he said.
“People do not see you in a wheelchair. I do not like being invisible.”
Mr Holmes who set up his own taxi-booking business, says since becoming unwell, his brother has helped to run the business while he recovers.
Andrew Holmes
(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
He added: “I have worked all my life. I run a little taxi business, and my brother has been running it since I was poorly.
“I am hoping to take it back over shortly, but six months of my life have gone by now. The year has gone by and I’m not the same person I was.
“Losing your leg changes you and your life.”
It comes just days after The Northern Echo revealed the struggles faced by Gerald Edward Foster, who has been left struggling to come to terms with having his leg amputated after a wound on his foot failed to heal.
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 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. 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.
Similarly, Mr Holmes said he wants County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust to be held accountable over the concerns he faced with his treatment at Darlington Hospital.
He said: “I would like Darlington to be accountable for their actions.
“I believe that with swifter action, amputation would not have been necessary. My life has now changed forever.”
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A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are aware of the circumstances surrounding Mr Holmes case and are very sorry for the impact this has had on him and his family.
“The relevant clinical teams are reviewing the care and treatment provided.
"We will be making contact with Mr Holmes directly and would welcome the opportunity to meet with him or speak to him to better understand his experience, and discuss any concerns he may have.”