Great Western Hospital lost Swindon pensioner's wedding ring

Brian Rogers is distraught to have lost the sentimental jewellery he had worn for the last 55 years.

His wife Josie called 999 after he fell down the stairs in May. He had seven fractures on his left hand and arm treated and plastered.

When the plaster was taken off a week later, he realised his 18-carat gold wedding ring was gone.

The hospital has since apologised and introduced a new way to keep patients' valuables safe and secure while they are on the wards.

Brian said: "I'm so angry, they are negligent. When I went back, one of the staff said it was my responsibility to look after my own belongings. I was under sedation!

"I had to find an old photo where I was wearing the ring to prove I had it in when I arrived in hospital.

Brian and Josephine Rogers (Image: From public)

"They have offered to reimburse me but there's no guarantee. I have to buy the new ring first, then the committee will decide if they can cover the cost.

"You can't replace it, it was on my finger for so long and meant so much. Any new one might as well be an elastic band, it would mean nothing.

"I suggested they give the value of the lost ring - £550 - so we can choose what to do with the money, but apparently that's not allowed."

The couple received a bouquet of flowers and a note from GWH apologising for not properly safeguarding an important personal item.

Josie remembers the day of the fall, when her husband stumbled and "tobogganed down the stairs then hit his head on the cupboard at the bottom".

She told the Adver: "I was really worried that he'd done some lasting damage.

"When I picked him up from hospital, he had a carrier bag full of bits he had come in with. It's odd that they kept that with him but not his wedding ring.

"I was shocked, it's part of our lives, we wear our wedding rings all the time. We put them on when we took our vows at the church in front of our friends and family, many of whom are no longer with us.

"We could get a new ring blessed but it would not be the same. GWH staff do a wonderful job but this does leave a bad taste in the mouth, it's a shame."

A spokesman for Great Western Hospitals Foundation Trust said: “We are very sorry that Mr Rogers’ wedding ring was lost during his time in hospital.

“Mr Rogers arrived in the Emergency Department in May as a trauma patient and required treatment for a hand injury during which his ring was removed.

"After being made aware that the ring was missing, the Emergency Department team conducted an extensive search of the department but unfortunately, the ring could not be found.

“Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service met with Mr Rogers and his wife to apologise and offer him reimbursement for the cost of a new ring, although we appreciate that this does not replace the sentimental value lost.

“Following this incident, we have tightened our procedures around missing property and have since introduced new patient property boxes which are used to store property such as glasses, hearing aids and jewellery in a safe box which is personal to each patient.”

Brian added: "I've got no complaints about the actual care I received and I'm glad that at least something good has come out of what happened, I wouldn't want this happening to anyone else."