Patient's plea to leave Brisbane hospital
FIRST ON 7: A Brisbane man who has been confined to hospital for two years has made a desperate plea to the Newman Government for a place in respite care.
Steve McDonald, 52, suffered a brain aneurysm in 2011.
His medical treatment ended months ago and he has since been waiting for a place at a respite centre as he requires day-to-day care.
Steve said "It hurts. All the time. I just want to go home."
Currently there are no suitable vacancies at government approved centres but there is space at a lifestyle retreat on the Sunshine Coast.
A bed at the retreat has been put on hold for him but the Disability Services Minister has refused to subsidise it.
A statement from the Department of Disability Services says patients are transitioned "...to community living as funding and accommodation places become available."
Steve's children Jody and Brendan have been fighting to get him out of the hospital.
Jody said "It is the most heartbreaking feeling not being able to give him a safe home to live in, that he guaranteed my brother and I had.
"Dad's not getting anything from being in this hospital that he wouldn't in a home environment or respite environment."
A standard hospital bed costs taxpayers $950 per day while care in a private facility is about half that cost at $495.
Steve’s son Brendan said "I want to hang out with my dad again. I want to watch the footy late at night and not get kicked out at 8pm."
Since 7News began making inquiries about Mr McDonald's plight, the department has offered the family an appointment to view a respite centre on Thursday.
