After 64 years as a public patient, Hamen Vile is distressed and shocked to move away from his support network in Dunedoo to Narromine, a town where he knows no one.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Vile is no stranger to the health care system, but even he is bewildered by his move the local hospital from his home at the Dunedoo Multi-Purpose Centre.
The 83 year-old has been in hospital for 64 years following a gun shot wound which left him a paraplegic when he was 19.
Mr Vile spent 58 years in Gulgong Hospital before it closed its doors in 2010 and he was relocated in Dunedoo.
Although Mr Vile was unhappy with the move, he became accustomed to the location because he was still near family and friends.
Until two months ago when he was relocated to Narromine.
"Why would they put me here?" Mr Vile asked.
"I don't know anyone here."
Neither Western NSW Local Health District or member for Dubbo, Troy Grant, could discuss Mr Vile's situation with The Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
"The Health District is unable to provide comment on individual patients or their care," a Western NSW Local Health District spokesperson said.
"We continue to provide quality care to patients in appropriate locations as consulted with the patient and their families/carers."
Mr Grant echoed this response.
"I am not in a position to make comment on the day to day operations undertaken by Western NSW Local Health District," he said.
"Mr Vile is also protected under client/patient confidentiality."
An emotional Mr Vile believes these answers are not good enough.
"I don't think I should have been moved, I'm trying to find out why I'm here," he said.
Mr Vile desperately wants to go back to his home of five years at the Dunedoo Multi-Purpose Centre.
"I had a pretty good place at Dunedoo, they treated me well," he said.
Mr Vile is currently searching for a lawyer to help him find the answers he wants.
"I can't seem to get anybody (a lawyer). I've got $10,000 saved and I'll spend the lot to find out what's going on," he said.
Mr Vile was also distressed with his transportation to Narromine.
"They put me in the Mudgee Hospital and the manager said you're not supposed to be here, we don't have long-term patients," Mr Vile recalled.
"On the third day I had taken all my tablets, my suppositories and Joy Adams (general manager northern district) came in and said you're going to Narromine Hospital, and I said 'no I'm not'.
"An hour later the Ambo brought two police man with them saying you've got to go to Narromine.
"I've just taken all my tablets, I said, I'll shit myself. Which is exactly what happened. I don't lie."
Mr Vile said he wants to live out the remainder of his life and be laid to rest next to his brother.
"I want to go home," Mr Vile cried. "I've got a block beside me brother. As soon as he died, I bought a block next to his.
"I'd have nothing without it."