A “VULNERABLE” Bronglais Hospital patient was discharged at 9pm and left to make his own way home more than 30 miles away, it has been claimed.

Shane Hughes, who lives in Rhayader, was released from the hospital at 9pm, but had no transport, no money and couldn’t arrange to get home.

He was eventually helped by revellers at a private party at the Maes Bangor Arms in Capel Bangor after Shane walked to the village and knocked on the door asking for a glass of water.

Shane, who had gone to the hospital for the second time in three days as he was suffering with stomach pain, said he had been left to find his own way home despite telling hospital staff he could not arrange a lift with friends.

He said: “I said that I couldn’t get home as none of my friends could get me. I waited in the waiting room until 11pm in case one of my friends said they could give me a lift.

“In the end I walked from the hospital to Capel Bangor. If they hadn’t helped me out money wise I wouldn’t have got home until 7am. I would have had to walk all the way if they hadn’t helped me.

“All I had on was jeans and a hoodie and I had a dressing gown with me and it was so cold I had to put the dressing gown on.

“Everybody pays their taxes for the service and they’re supposed to help make you better. It’s not the first time I’ve been stranded in Aberystwyth after going to the hospital.”

A Hywel Dda Health Board spokesperson said: “While we are unable to comment on individual patient cases, we would encourage anyone who has a concern regarding the treatment or service they receive to contact our Patient Support Team by phoning 0300 0200 159 or emailing [email protected].”

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