Doctors baffled by North Earlham man's illness

The family of a distressed man who has been in and out of the county's main hospital more than 30 times over the past four months say they desperately need some answers about his illness.

Ian Bosanquet, 49, was first admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital last October with severe stomach pains and was treated for gastroenteritis and admitted overnight.

He was released the following day but he then collapsed and was taken back into hospital - again with severe stomach pains - and this time was told he had an ulcer which was operated on. But he became ill again just days after being discharged.

The same pattern has been repeated every few days since then and Mr Bosanquet, from North Earlham, said he has lost eight stone since his ordeal started.

Chris Futter, 20, told the Evening News that his dad had become very ill and depressed and the family did not know which way to turn.

'My dad used to be really active but he now spends most of his time doubled over in pain,' he said. 'Each time he goes in he is given some sort of medication and doctors say he is fit enough to be released but then a few days later he is poorly again.

'Most of it is stomach pain but it has affected his appetite. He used to weigh 18 stones but now is down to 10 stones so there is obviously something very wrong.

'First of all we were told he had gastroenteritis and then an ulcer but even though he has had treatment for these nothing is getting better.'

Mr Bosanquet, who is a father-of-three and grandfather-of-three and lives with his wife Carol, is often given morphine during his hospital stay which temporarily eases the pain.

Mr Futter and his mother said they had complained through the patient advice and liaison service (PALS) and were currently waiting for a response.

They have also had meetings with consultants at the N&N but say they were told 'no one knows' what is wrong with Mr Bosanquet.

A despairing Mr Bosanquet said the problem was having an impact on the entire family.

'I am getting more and more sick but no one can tell me what is wrong,' he said. 'I am not happy at all and nor are any of my family.

'I have had so many tests. Whenever I leave the house for the day my wife never knows if we will be going back to hospital. It is having a negative effect on us all.'

Mr Futter added 'We are really struggling to get answers and it is really hard to see my dad like this every day. I don't feel like we are getting anywhere with our complaints and I just want to see my dad get better.

'We are assuming his illness is not life-threatening but how do we know that? Each time he gets sick we worry what will happen to him.'

A hospital spokesman said: 'We are doing everything we can to determine the cause of Ian's illness but unfortunately sometimes it can take time to get a diagnosis'.

Do you have a health story for the Evening News? Contact Sarah Hall on 01603 772426 or email sarah.hall2@archant.co.uk