A PENSIONER who suffered a huge burn on her back was dismissed and sent home from the Alexandra Hospital - after waiting for almost five hours sitting on a plastic chair.

Pauline Biggs, 83, who suffers from dementia, burned herself at her home in Redditch on Saturday night, November 6.

Her daughter Francesca Shakespeare found her and rushed her to the Alex Hospital.

And despite being seen by a triage nurse straight away, they were then left waiting for almost five hours.

After finally seeing a doctor the huge wound was just dressed and they were sent home.

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"I couldn't believe it," said Francesca.

"The doctor did mention about going to the burns unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but then seemed to change his mind."

Pauline went back to the hospital on the following Monday to have the dressing changed and Francesca says that despite raising concerns she was sent home again.

The pensioner, who was suffering at this point, went back on the Wednesday and this time was told to go to the burns unit straight away.

She ended up having to have a skin graft.

"The whole thing was horrendous," said Francesca.

"The trauma of having to go through what mum went through has left some real damage - it's made her dementia worse."

She added: "While we were waiting to be see a doctor the first time I complained twice. I think it's ageism. The old people get pushed to one side - its not right

"I had to keep calming her down."

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Francesca, who said her mum is still in pain, said she has heard nothing from the Alex Hospital.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: “Any shortcomings in a patient’s care is deeply regrettable and we apologise to anyone who is unhappy with their care or treatment.

“While we are unable to discuss specific details relating to patient care for confidentiality reasons, we will be sharing a full written response with the family responding to the concerns they have raised, as well as identifying any improvements we have made as a result.”