A Blackpool man with meningitis was left stranded in an admissions ward with just two chairs for an isolation barrier at Blackpool Victoria hospital

Tony Beswick, 39, became ill early last week with severe headaches, getting steadily worse towards the weekend.

And his concerned wife Lynn told the Citizen: "Tony looked dreadful - he even had to wear sunglasses in hospital because he couldn't stand the bright lights. She also revealed Tony was discharged on Wednesday (September 22) because of the severe lack of beds despite the fact Tony and Lynn have a 14 week old daughter Lauren.

"He had a temperature of 102 degrees, but he was freezing. Then, when he told me he couldn't stand bright lights, I became so worried I took him to the hospital on Saturday morning (September 19).

"We were admitted to medical admissions in A & E and he was diagnosed with meningitis, but there were no private beds to place him in so they left him there with just a chair next to his bed with a yellow bag on it saying "isolation" and a sign for barrier nursing.

Lynn said: "I can't believe it. Tony is getting no sleep because emergencies are being admitted all the time and he's right next to the busy nurses station.

"All the nurses who treat him wear gloves and everything, but he was out in this ward with other people. It's crazy." By Tuesday, Tony was still in the same admissions ward following tests to determine the strain of the deadly brain bug.

On discovering he did in fact have viral meningitis Tony was prescribed antibiotics and told to return home on Wednesday as long as he did not come into contact with any babies or children, as it would take two weeks to get the bug out of his system.

But the couple have a 14-week-old daughter Lauren and when this was pointed out to the hospital by Mrs Beswick she told us the reply was: "Oh gosh that's been overlooked, we'll get back to you."

Tony is now recovering at home but has been told to have no contact at all with his daughter or any of her belongings as there is a 20 per cent risk of her catching an infection or even chickenpox which is a milder side effect of the disease.

Lynn commented: "They've still sent him home even though he's very weak and we are worried for our daughter.

"They say the risk is just 20 per cent but any percentage is too high and it's not as if we live in a mansion and can keep away from him all the time."

Blackpool Victoria hospital were unavailable for comment.

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