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A BRIDGEWATER COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST SPOKESMAN APOLOGISED "FOR THE DISTRESS CAUSED" 16:09, 31 May 2025Updated 16:11, 31 May 2025 A routine doctor's

appointment turned into a living nightmare for a Runcorn dad after a seemingly minor injury spiralled out of control. Colin Rotherham, 62, was attending a podiatrist appointment in January

2023 when he felt a "sharp pain" and later discovered a cut on the second toe of his right foot. The appointment took place at the Castlefield and St Paul’s Health Centre, part of

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, in January 2023. Colin, who was diagnosed with diabetes in the 1980s and attends regular foot checkups as a result, said: "On this

particular occasion I had gone into the podiatrist at the health centre. The next minute I felt this sharp pain. I said, 'What was that?'. She kept her head down and kept going.

"When I got home, I made myself a cup of coffee, took my shoes off, and my daughter's dog was sat looking at me, wagging his tail. He was at my feet, and when I looked down, my

sock was covered in blood." Concerned that he may have been cut during his appointment and worried about infection risks linked to diabetes, the dad of two visited his GP the next day

and was prescribed antibiotics. Over the following weeks and months, he attended regular podiatry appointments, during which staff cleaned and dressed his wound. However, he continued to

complain of pain and observed that his blood sugar levels had spiked. Article continues below He said he requested a swab to check for further infections on the advice of his diabetes

specialist, but this was dismissed as there was no note on his digital documents. He said: "It was late April when I came home one day and the bandage was coming off. My wife got the

bandage off, and she was absolutely shocked. It looked like I had frostbite. The end of my toe was missing." Colin attended the health centre where a swab was finally taken, confirming

an infection. He was urgently referred to the Diabetic Foot Clinic, where he was diagnosed with gangrene. On May 17 2023, at the Countess of Chester Hospital, he underwent emergency surgery

to amputate his second toe on the left foot. He said: “You see a health professional, and you place your trust in them. I kept asking if it was healing properly. I was in pain, and my blood

sugar was all over the place, but I believed them. I even asked for a swab—but was told it wasn’t needed. I just didn’t feel listened to. “It was devastating. To go from discomfort to being

told your toe is dead—it was such a shock. At one point, doctors feared they’d have to remove my whole foot. And to think it could have been avoided with the right aftercare. “The podiatrist

even said, ‘Mistakes happen’. But that’s not good enough when those mistakes cost you part of your body. I still don’t feel like anyone’s really acknowledged how badly I was let down.” He

added: "They seemed to have a blasé attitude about what happened to me, and they were more concerned about what they could learn from it all, rather than me as a human being. I have

been impacted by all this. I didn't know what was happening, and it was like I was lost in it all. "The whole process, I felt like I was outside my body watching. It was like I was

on a conveyor belt. I felt angry with myself, thinking I shouldn't have let it go on for so many weeks. But you put your trust in them. You think they're acting in your best

interests. I just couldn't get my head around it." Following Colin's operation, an investigation by Thompsons Solicitors found earlier action, such as prompt imaging,

referral, and infection management, could have avoided the need for amputation. The Trust also acknowledged that "the failure of the podiatry team to adhere to NICE guidelines and refer

the Claimant to the Diabetic Foot clinic MDT, fell below a reasonable standard of care". The case was settled out of court, with Colin receiving compensation due to the serious nature

of the injury and the ongoing costs of his rehabilitation and mobility needs. Reece Trammer, solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “This case highlights the serious consequences of

failing to follow clinical guidelines. With proper care, this amputation could have been avoided. While the trust’s admissions are welcome, these failings must not be repeated.” Colin said:

“I just want to make sure the Trust is listening—and that people know they have a right to speak up. If you’re not happy, ask questions. Don’t just accept what you’re told. I also want

people to know that if the worst happens, there is help available." He added: "I felt as though I needed to tell my story. I just wanted to tell people because it might be the case

there may have been others like me, and that was one of my concerns. They might read this and think 'that happened to me'." Article continues below A Bridgewater Community

Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "We are very sorry for the distress caused to Mr Rotherham and apologise to him unreservedly. "Patient safety is always our highest

priority, but on the very rare occasions when care does fall short, it's important this is acknowledged so we can learn from these situations."