17 November 2012 Last updated at 09:27 ET

Barnsley Hospital patient discharged with drip tube in arm

A hospital in Barnsley has apologised after a woman with dementia was sent home with a cannula tube for a drip still inserted in her arm.

Lily Winfield, 77, was admitted to Barnsley Hospital on 7 November after suffering a mini-stroke.

It has been reported that when she was sent home in an ambulance last Saturday, she was barefoot and wearing only an open-backed NHS night gown.

The hospital said it was investigating what had happened.

'Absolutely unacceptable'

Chief nurse Heather McNair said: "We are very sorry for Mrs Winfield's experience and after speaking with her daughter earlier this week, are already under way with a thorough investigation.

"We expect all our patients to receive the highest standards of dignity, care and treatment and any experience that falls short is taken very seriously and I have asked for this matter to be dealt with urgently."

Mrs Winfield, who also has diabetes, was admitted to ward 20 after suffering a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), known as a mini-stroke.

After she arrived home, the hospital's rapid response team had to be sent to remove the cannula tube from her arm.

Elaine Jessers, a director at Barnsley Hospital, said the situation was "absolutely unacceptable".

"This is not a standard of care that we aspire to and it's certainly not a standard of care that our patients deserve."