A MULTIPLE Sclerosis sufferer has questioned Wharfedale Hospital's ability to treat wheelchair users.

Ian Asquith had been waiting for months for a procedure at the Day Case Ward that was finally confirmed for Wednesday, September 21.

But the 63 year old was then told the day before that the appointment had to be cancelled because 'no-one at the hospital was trained to use a bed hoist'.

Mr Asquith, from Yeadon, was shocked - especially as he had been treated at Wharfedale earlier in the year without any problem.

He said: "I had a telephone call to say it was going to be cancelled because I would need hoisting from my wheelchair onto a bed on arrival, and vice versa, but unfortunately there was no-one at Wharfedale Hospital trained to use a hoist.

"Unbelievable - nobody in a hospital could use a hoist!

"I was first told the hospital didn't have one, then my consultant* looked into it and said no-one was trained to use it.

"If the Trust is saying there are people at Wharfedale who are trained, then why did they cancel my procedure?

"This is all the more baffling as I had a similar procedure carried out in Otley in April - though at first the staff said they didn't think they had a hoist and eventually found one that had been locked away.

"All I needed was something to transfer me out of my chair onto the bed, and then back again.

"To have a procedure cancelled for the reasons they've given is quite astonishing.

"As an MS sufferer confined to a wheelchair I have had nothing but praise for the NHS over the past 27 years, but this really rattled my cage."

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, however, insists staff in Otley are trained to use hoists and that there must have been a communication failure.

A spokesman said: "We are very sorry to hear Mr Asquith’s concerns.

"Staff at Wharfedale Hospital do have access to a hoist and are trained to use it so clearly there has been some confusion.

"We are aware Mr Asquith has been in touch with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service and hopefully they will be able to resolve this for him."

A spokesman for Otley Action for Older People, meanwhile, said: "This sounds like a very unfortunate situation the gentleman in question has been put in, and we are surprised that these facilities weren't available on the day he was due to have his procedure."

MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) said: "It is vital Mr Asquith gets the treatment he needs for his condition and I was very concerned to hear that his procedure at Wharfedale Hospital had to be cancelled.

“I will be writing to the Trust to find out what happened and also what needs to change to ensure this isn't repeated.”

*Mr Asquith's consultant made quick, alternative arrangements and he was due to have his procedure at St James' Hospital on Thursday, September 29.