‘Degraded’ Brit ex-soldier put in a NAPPY and strapped to a bed after just falling over in Benidorm hotel
A RETIRED soldier was 'degraded' by hospital staff in Spain after being put in a NAPPY and STRAPPED to a bed after a hotel fall, it was claimed today.
John Winterburn, 78, struck his head on a concrete plant pot on his first day of his holiday with wife Dianne, 74, in Benidorm.
Their £1,200 sunshine break quickly turned into a holiday from hell when John started slurring his words and was rushed to the Marina Baixa hospital in Villajoyosa.
Dianne says she was left feeling disgusted when John was strapped to a bed and forced to wear a nappy by medical staff "for no obvious reason".
John, who served with the Royal Tank Regiment, spent the next ten days in hospital before being flown back to Britain for further treatment.
REGULAR HOLIDAY
The couple had been visiting the Medplaya Hotel Flamingo Oasis in Benidorm in December for their tenth time when John fell ill and was taken to hospital.
He suffered a concussion but medics were concerned about his history of heart problems.
Diane, from Leeds, West Yorks said: "They put him in a bed nappy and gave him a drug which is only given to psychotic patients.
"I couldn't believe it."
Mrs Winterburn took John to hospital as he was 'confused' after falling in the dining room and bumping his head.
ALL CLEAR - BUT NOT DISCHARGED
She feared he might have a bleed in his brain but scans gave him the all clear - so she thought he'd be discharged quickly.
Dianne said: "But I was shocked to find him in a dark room strapped to his bed.
"He's an ex-soldier, it was disgusting.
"His speech was slurred but that was because of the fall.
"How degrading was this for him?"
HELPLESS WIFE
Helpless Dianne spent the following ten days in taxis from the hotel to the clinic back and forth - amassing huge bills on transport which cost up to 30 euros a day.
She spoon-fed John, who has previously had a heart by-pass, each day in the hospital and spent almost the entire holiday by his bedside.
John, who was hallucinating he was back in Germany, where he served with the Army, after the bump, says he won't return to Spain.
The Foreign Commonwealth Office, Spanish Embassy and the Ministry of Health for Spain have been approached for comment.
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