Hospital bosses have apologised after an elderly patient was stopped from entering Grantham Hospital's Urgent Treatment Centre and forced to defecate outside, in public view.

A complaint to United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust by Nicky Griffiths, an NHS Campaigner from Is Anyone Listening Lincolnshire, described how the man was given laxatives prior to a procedure in the hospital's 'green' COVID-free area.

However, despite being "desperate" for the toilet, he was stopped from going into the Urgent Treatment Centre, which is not classed as COVID free.

"As a result, he was forced to defecate outside the hospital, in public view. How does this fit with your 'clean' hospital site? It is shocking and totally unacceptable," said Mrs Griffiths, who called for an apology to the "poor gentleman for the humiliation he suffered."

In an email to Mrs Griffiths, ULHT CEO Andrew Morgan said the incident "was completely unacceptable". 

"It could and should have been avoided.

"We have apologised to the gentleman concerned and are dealing directly with him in relation to this incident.

"This includes an investigation into what happened and how we ensure that it can never happen again to any other patient."

He denied patients would be forced to wait outside during the winter months and that staff were working on ways to maintain the "COVID-free site" without this happening.

A trust spokesman said: "We are very sorry about this incident and take all such complaints seriously.

"We are investigating what happened and are working with our security teams to ensure that this type of situation does not occur again."