A shocked businessman claims he had to help a doctor stitch up his injured nephew because of a hospital staffing crisis.
Russell Smith, 20, from Rayleigh, was rushed to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford after being cut from his car and needed treatment for cuts and bruises.
Mr Smith's uncle, Jeff Rifat, 45, said he had to swab his concussed nephew's head wounds, cut stitches and fetch instruments for the doctor.
He said: "The poor doctor had no support so it was up to me to help out."
A hospital spokesman could not comment on the case because of patient confidentiality but added: "No complaint has been received.
"In circumstances where a patient is particularly distressed, it is not uncommon for members of the family to be invited to provide comfort and reassurance."
Published Monday October 14, 2002
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