Greymouth Hospital ejects pensioner patient

Arthur Payn with his hospital file and discharge notice. Picture / Simon Baker

While most patients look forward to getting out of hospital, it took a trespass order and police escort to shift pensioner Arthur Payn.

The 69-year-old was so determined to keep his bed in Greymouth Hospital that the hospital management took out the order and then called police to remove him on Tuesday.

Mr Payn now faces a fine of up to $1000 or up to three months in jail if he goes back on to the hospital grounds.

"I was in my pyjamas and the police wanted to take me there and then, but I said: 'No, you're not taking me in my pyjamas - the next thing they will charge me with pinching hospital property,"' said Mr Payn.

"They took me out and took me in the [police] car, and I said: 'I'm going under protest.' I didn't think they would ever treat me like that."

The hospital said the trespass order was a last resort after Mr Payn refused to leave.

But Mr Payn said he was only seeking treatment he deserved and answers to his questions in a long-running dispute over his care.

He suffered polio as a child and now has a host of medical conditions including heart problems, blood clots and infections.

The conditions have seen him in and out of hospitals and respite centres for the last year. Mr Payn's wife had injured her hand and was unable to help care for him at home.

He has complained to the Health and Disability Commissioner about the care he has received.

"The doctors would come and say: 'Look, we haven't found a thing wrong with you Mr Payne.' I said: 'Oh yeah, you haven't read my bloody file then.' It's all there in black and white for them."

West Coast District Health Board chief executive Kevin Hague said there was no medical reason for Mr Payn to stay in the hospital. The board could not comment on Mr Payn's care while a Health and Disability Commission probe was to be carried out.

Since his eviction, Mr Payn has changed his mind about staying in Greymouth Hospital.

"I would rather go to my grave than go back there."