"Disappointed and deeply upset"

Anything else?

I visited my best friend in Blackburn Hospital (Ward D3). He seemed to be getting no treatment whatever. Hospital Staff had refused to deal with his gangrenous toe - we all know that if not treated, he will lose a toe, then a foot, then his life. His blood sugars are all over the place, and his kidneys are crying out for dialysis. Yet, hospital staff are now considering withdrawing support, though, when the guy went in, he was alert mentally, though physically unwell.

Since he has been in the 'care' of Blackburn Hospital, he has definitely got worse. Not surprising, when he is being given no treatment, unless you count pumping him full of painkillers.

Thanks to the staff in Blackburn Hospital, no only has his health deteriorated, but also his mental condition; when I visited him in March, it was verging on suicidal - totally different to the happy-go-luck outgoing guy that was admitted.

He was shown little respect and dignity due to a man of his age (76) and the seriousness of his worsening condition. Once when I went in, he was left sitting hunched up on the side of the bed, no pyjama trousers, in soiled bed-linen, shivering with cold. Two nuses were eventually persuaded to give up their chat, and put him in his bedside chair. I found him a blanket, and wrapped it round him.

If they are going to withdraw support - i.e. let him die - would he not be better in Rossendale hospice, where, at least he would spend his final months in peaceful, dignified surroundings.

There are many many stories and newspaper reports where patients come out worse than when they go in, but when it happens to someone you know and love, it is heart rending.