AN 80-YEAR OLD man from Yate whose driving licence was revoked due to a technical error by his doctor is blaming the surgery for injuries he suffered from falling over due to having to walk instead of drive.


Dennis Wingrove, a retired resident on Rectory Close, had his driving licence revoked by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) after his doctor, from West Walk Surgery Yate, accidentally ticked the wrong box on a medical assessment form.


Mr Wingrove fell over while walking on Church Road and was taken to Southmead Hospital and had several stitches and suffered severe cuts and bruising, and is blaming his doctor for his injuries, as he believes if he had not had to walk the incident would not have happened.


Mr Wingrove, who lives with his wife, Gillian Wingrove, 73 and his step-son, David McGoll, 45, was contacted by the DVLA at the end of November last year to find out what medication he was taking and requested permission to speak with his doctor.


In early February DVLA contacted Mr Wingrove requesting for him to undergo a medical examination, which he scheduled for March 9 but three days before his assessment, he received a letter from DVLA saying he was not medically fit to drive and that his driving license had been revoked and his entitlement to drive had ceased.


He visited the surgery with his step-son to be told his doctor had ticked the wrong box on a form which resulted in his licence being revoked.


Mr McGoll said: “My step-dad was upset and confused why it was taken away before the assessment. We were told the surgery would ring DVLA and explain, and we would then have to wait for a letter from the surgery to confirm the case. Until then, he was not permitted to drive, which made things awkward as he isn’t too good on his feet.


“The next day he walked to the shop because he couldn't drive and somewhere along Church Road, he missed his foot and ended up on the pavement.


“He came home in an ambulance, which was called by someone passing by in a taxi - I found out from my neighbour after - who we wish to thank for their help, and he was covered in blood and looked terrible.


“He was taken to Southmead where he had four stitches above his nose, two stitches in one finger, bad cuts on both hands, and a badly cut knee as well as his face being so swollen and bruised.


“This has caused a lot of stress to us all. The whole thing has made me angry, because of the doctor’s mistake this has happened.


“It’s a small mistake but it’s made a big impact on us. He could have broken every bone in his body or had worse happen."


Mr Wingrove said: "I stand by that in theory, it is the surgery's fault and I have now received a letter saying the doctor is sorry and knows it was her fault.


"I've been driving since I was 18 years old and never had any convictions. The DVLA phoned me on Friday (March 13) to say my licence had been reinstated and now I am just waiting for a letter confirming I have my licence back."


A spokesman for DVLA said: “We can confirm that we have been in direct contact with Mr Wingrove recently and the case has now been resolved."


The West Walk Surgery was unable to comment due to its duty of patient confidentiality, restricting comments on individual cases.