Amputee Doug Bishton wheelchair-bound for two years after hospital throws out prosthetic leg

A double amputee who went into hospital for a routine procedure was horrified when hospital staff threw out his prosthetic leg. That was two years ago, and now he fears he’ll spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. His battle.

Doug Bishton whose prosthetic leg was lost by the Health Department 2 years ago with Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: Chris Kidd

An East Coast man who has spent two years seeking a replacement leg after his prosthesis was accidentally thrown away says he is worried he will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair because of what he describes as Health Department “incompetence”.

Double amputee Doug Bishton, 73, says he hasn’t even received an apology after his one of his prosthetic legs was chucked out by Burnie Hospital while he was in Hobart for surgery in August 2021.

The mistake was discovered when he entered rehabilitation after his operation.

“They decided I was going to get walking again and they rang and they said they’d had a clean-out and they’d thrown it away,” he said.

“They threw out a new leg out with a new shoe on it. Now I’ve got all these left shoes that I can’t use.”

Doug Bishton whose prosthetic leg was lost by the Health Department 2 years ago. Picture: Chris Kidd

Doug says he has spent the last two years trying to get hold of a replacement but his patience and persistence have been in vain.

“I’ve left messages, my wife has left messages, it has stressed the living daylights out of us,” he said.

“I’ve been confined to this wheelchair for two years because of bumbling – they’ve confined me to a wheelchair because of their incompetence.

“It has taken away two years of my life basically. It has caused a bit of stress for my wife, she has to lift my wheelchair in and out of the boot and she’s got rickety knees.

“The whole issue has been dreadful throughout. There’s been no human empathy.”

Doug has an appointment with a specialist this week, and says that his age and the amount of time he has spent in a wheelchair will reduce his chances of ever walking again.

“The worst outcome is that they say I’m not suitable for a new leg and I’m back to square one,” he said.

“They were probably hoping I would die before I got a new leg.

“It’s not just about me. I’m using my voice for the other people who might have been in a similar situation and aren’t game to speak.

Doug Bishton whose prosthetic leg was lost by the Health Department 2 years ago with Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: Chris Kidd

“This is our third health minister and they’ve done sweet FA for anyone – they wouldn’t know a stethoscope from a thermometer.”

Doug’s local member, Labor leader Rebecca White said the entire situation was unacceptable.

“It is hard to understand what’s happened here.

“Doug thought he was having a routine medical procedure and never imagined that, as a consequence, they would throw away his prosthetic leg,” she said.

“It’s been two years since that happened. He still hasn’t had the answers. He hasn’t had an apology and he’s still waiting to get measured up for replacement.”

“It’s one of the most it is one of the most outrageous acts of negligence that I’ve heard of in the health system.

“It’s hard to understand how anybody could have been thrown away Doug’s leg and is two years later and he hasn’t gotten an apology or replacement prosthetic just yet.”

Secretary the Department of Health Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said they “sincerely apologise” to Mr Bishton for the “unfortunate experience” he had.

“The delays involved in his treatment do not meet the standards we strive to achieve in delivering high quality and timely healthcare for patients in Tasmania,” Ms Morgan-Wicks said.

“The Department of Health has contacted Mr Bishton to offer our apology. We are also reviewing the circumstances of this matter to ensure this cannot happen again.”