Anger over Tub's disappearance

Published 29 Jun 2010 10:00

THE niece of a man who went missing for five days after walking out of the Vale of Leven Hospital believes a closer eye should have been kept on him.

In last week's Reporter we appealed for help after John Gilfeather, 64, known as Tub, walked out of the Vale unnoticed at 11am Thursday June 17 and went missing.

He was in the process of being discharged at the time.

After we went to press, and following an extensive police search, John, from Tullichewan, was found on Monday night.

He is believed to have been discovered in grassland near the hospital suffering from sunburn and dehydration, however the full story of where he had been remains unclear.

Family members had been actively involved in the search, scouring the streets of the Vale and checking his house every day.

His niece Julie Gilfeather had been involved in the hunt and had even walked around the hospital grounds.

Despite her obvious relief that her uncle was found safely, Julie said she is angry that he managed to slip out of the hospital unnoticed while he was in the process of being discharged.

She told the Reporter: "I don't know how he managed to get out without being noticed, he's in there for a reason - to be looked after.

"I'm actually annoyed he got out of there. I think they should be more vigilant as the older patients are not good at walking, so I do feel there should have been more to stop that happening."

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "This patient was ready for discharge but left the hospital before this process had been completed.

"Staff noticed he had left the ward prematurely and alerted his family immediately.

"Subsequently the police were alerted and the patient has since been located and has been given the appropriate care."

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 29 Jun 10

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