A hospital patient says he is being discharged prematurely to the Salvation Army homeless facility.

The man told The Royal Gazette that his undiagnosed condition leaves him with no strength in his legs.

Although medical staff had tried to get him on his feet, the problem recurred, he said.

“Nobody even cares,” he said. “I just fall ... I feel that I am being discharged early and without diagnosis.”

A Bermuda Hospitals Board spokeswoman, however, said: “BHB treats all patients, irrespective of their status, to the same standard of clinical care. This means, if anyone in Bermuda is acutely ill, they will be cared for in an inpatient unit.

“It also means, when they no longer need hospital care, they will be discharged.”

She said that problems with the process occur when patients cannot be discharged safely.

“For some seniors, this may mean they need a care home or a family willing to accept them.

“Someone who is homeless faces different challenges. If they are well enough, they may be discharged to a shelter. If they have serious disabilities, BHB medical social workers will seek appropriate placements in residences that can cater to them.”

The situation with the patient who contacted The Royal Gazette arose as Health Minister Jeanne Atherden had told the House of Assembly last week that the hospital was being used as a residence for seniors “who do not need to be there,” and also said there are more than 30 “long-stay social admissions.”

“It is unfortunate that, from time to time, individuals who have no fixed abode may frustrate the process of discharge in order to remain in hospital. BHB has every sympathy for people who face challenging situations in their life and has social workers based at both the Mid- Atlantic Wellness Institute and King Edward VII Memorial Hospital who work tirelessly to find safe, appropriate placements for individuals following an inpatient stay.

“However, it cannot act as a shelter for those who are not acutely ill.”

Ms Atherden had told the House of Assembly: “All 90 beds are full at the new Acute Care Wing, along with the entire General Ward, forcing the hospital to add additional beds. The problem, and the source of my distress, is that there is a growing trend for the families of these elderly Bermudians to refuse to take them back home.”