I am 78 years-old and a former manager at Ford Motor Company. I also served for 10 years as a Non-Executive Director of Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals Trust and was acting Chairman for a time.

Early in 2015 I was referred to hospital with suspected prostate concerns. Although ‘out of area’ this Trust was my hospital of choice. Clinical appointments quickly followed and exploratory tests confirmed that cancer cells were present in the prostate. I was offered three alternative treatments and opted for radical surgery which was performed by Mr Gujral in August last year, at King George Hospital.

In the early hours of the following day, I was unable to sleep because of the pain and, in urgent need of a commode, I pressed the call button. No response. Repeated pressing failed to get an answer and, as the situation was desperate – and I could see the bathroom from my bed - I dragged myself out of bed carrying the catheter drip container in one hand and the blood drip bag in the other, both of which were leaking. Once in the bathroom I could sit down but couldn’t get up. Pressing the call button got no response but I was able to get onto my knees then haul myself up via the support handle. I went into every bay in Holly Ward. Not a nurse in sight. Getting back onto the bed I pressed repeatedly until eventually a nurse arrived to change me and the bed before hitting me with medication which finally got me off to sleep.

That afternoon, after a visit from Mr Gujral’s registrar, I was told I could go home the next day. I expected to be able to get away in the morning, freeing up a bed. In the event it was 5pm before I was signed off and, even then, I had to wait while the home care pack was prepared.

One other point: in 78 years – before this most recent experience - I have been hospitalised four times. Each time I have been given a wash in the early morning sometimes forcibly. When I asked for a wash in Holly Ward, I was offered a wet wipe. The first laugh I’d had since going under Mr Gujral’s skilful knife.

The upside of this experience has been the speed with which the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Trust acknowledged and investigated the complaint and their determination to bring it into the light. Would I have medical treatment at BHR again? Absolutely! But I’d like to be assured that my other concerns had been addressed first.

Terry Williams