LEIGH MP Lawrence Cunliffe is demanding a full inquiry into claims that a mother and her four years-old son were forced to set-off walking five miles home from Wigan Infirmary in the middle of the night because she had no money for a taxi.

He claims the treatment of the pair by nursing staff was "out of a Dickensian story".

But hospital staff have denied that they would ask a parent and child to walk home at night.

Mother of three Zanet Hankey, 29, rushed her son Gareth to the infirmary after her family doctor had called for an ambulance, saying he needed hospital treatment for a swollen groin.

After seeing a doctor at the Infirmary she was told to take Gareth home and give him some new antibiotics, the doctor allegedly saying "Why did you come at this time?" after Zanet questioned how they would get home.

After being referred to a nurse, Zanet, of Rydal Avenue, Hindley, claimed she was told that there would not be an ambulance to take them home and they would have to get a taxi.

She said: "I told her I had no money and asked how I should get home and that I would have to walk with my son, maybe five miles. The nurse looked at me and then walked out of the room.

"My son was only wearing pyjamas and slippers and his sister's dressing gown. By this time I was very upset and shocked. I tried to carry Gareth twice but I have problems with my back and arms. Gareth was just too heavy."

She added that after walking for 20 minutes or so in tears, at around 1.15 in the morning a man stopped his car a short distance away and offered them a lift.

Zanet, who had left her daughters Kayleigh, nine, and Katrine, seven, with a neighbour, went on: "I thought he would hurt us and at first I was very frightened. My fear turned to relief when I realised he only wanted to help. He asked whether he could take us anywhere...I then accepted his help and he took us home.

"This man did not know my home area so he must have gone out of his way, yet he showed us more respect, sympathy and concern than the nurse at the hospital. He could easily have left us on the street. I will always be thankful to this man and wish I had asked his name. On the streets at that time of night could have been very dangerous for both my son and myself.

"This horrible experience has left my son frightened and myself with horrifying nightmares."

Mr Cunliffe said: "This is a serious case, which I can only condemn as cruel, callous and irresponsible. There was indifference by the hospital staff towards the safety and welfare of the mother and child. It was something out of a Dickensian story.

"I have asked the Chief Executive of the local NHS Trust for a full inquiry."

A spokeswoman for the NHS Trust said: "There has obviously been a communications breakdown and not a failure of our service provision.

"Staff would not suggest that a parent with a small child should walk home at night. Hospital staff can order a taxi for the patient or parent to pay on arrival, if they have no money with them.

"While we will not comment in public on an individual case, we can confirm that this lady's concerns are being dealt with through our complaints procedure and she should be hearing from us before Easter."

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