Grandad who was sent home from hospital with painkillers ended up needing leg amputated

A marathon-running grandad who's big toe became infected had to have his leg amputated - after being sent home from hospital with painkillers.

Avid sportsman James Devlin, 63, visited hospital three times in six weeks after he dropped a wardrobe on his foot and pleaded for treatment. But after being sent home from hospital with tablets, his toes started turning black and he was diagnosed with gangrene and reduced blood flow to his lower left leg.

And just days later, surgeons were forced to amputate his limb, forcing him to take several months off from his job as a charity collection and delivery driver. James now needs a wheelchair to get around and is reliant on his wife, Jeanette, 59.

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The trust that runs the hospital has denied liability for James’ amputation, but he has now instructed lawyers to investigate his care. He said: “I can’t look after the grandkids by myself because they’re at an age where they’re so full of energy and want to run about that I can’t keep up with them.

“Before all this, I was extremely active. I’d played football and ran all my life and would often have weekends away cycling. Sport and exercise meant so much to me and I also got a lot out of helping train others. Me and Jeanette loved going away on holiday and would get away as often as we could.

“However, that’s all completely gone. It’s sometimes difficult to find the words to describe how my life has changed. It’s not just the physical injuries which have been hard to come to terms with but also the psychological impact.”

James, from Pellon, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, visited the A&E at Calderdale