UK’s longest-serving patient dies after 54 yrs in hospital

London: A former soldier thought to be the UK’s longest-serving patient has died after spending 54 years in a vegetative state at the same hospital, the British media reported on Tuesday.

 James Morris was admitted to hospital with a broken leg in 1962 at the age of 21 but never went home after suffering a cardiac arrest on the operating table.

He was left in a vegetative state after the operation and was moved to Wester Moffat Hospital in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.

The Army veteran, who could only say three words, died in April aged 75, the BBC reported.

His brother Karl Morris said: “Over the years we found a way to communicate with him. He was all there mentally but couldn’t communicate with us at all.

Karl said a member of staff from Wester Moffat had suggested that no-one had been in care in a single hospital longer than James.

 Wester Moffat Hospital  confirmed James had spent 54 years in their care after spending two years in other hospitals.

A spokesman of the National Health Service (NHS) said they were not aware of anyone having spent longer than 54 years in a hospital. Karl Morris has praised the “unbelievable” staff at the hospital for the care they gave his brother. (PTI)