Pub landlord ‘held to ransom’ by Turkish hospital is freed after family were forced to pay £25k

A retired pub landlord who was “held to ransom” by a Turkish hospital after falling ill on holiday is back home after his family were forced to pay £25,000 to release him.

Malcolm Stocker, 68, was admitted to Ahu Hospital in Marmaris with an upset stomach two days before the end of a two-week holiday in May with Jane Morton, his partner.

Doctors told his family he was suffering from pneumonia and put him into an induced coma with a medical ventilator for two weeks.

But once the former pub landlord had recovered, the hospital refused to release him until the family had paid the first half of the £49,000 medical bill they claim he had racked up.

Mr Stocker was not able to get travel insurance because he had pre-existing medical issues.

‘Extortionate’ bill

They had no choice but to launch a fundraiser to help pay the “extortionate” bill – and seven weeks after being admitted to hospital, Mr Stocker was finally discharged and declared well enough to travel.

His children had to hire a Turkish lawyer who negotiated with bosses at the Ahu Hospital and brought down the bill to £25,000.

The appeal raised £17,000, with the family picking up the remainder of the bill.

Mr Stocker is now home in Exmouth, Devon, with Jane. His daughter Emma-Jane Stocker, 33, said she had heard reports of other foreign patients being unnecessarily sedated in Turkish hospitals to increase their medical bills.

Mr Stocker’s son Lee, 42, said: “It is a huge relief for dad to be back home. It has been an absolute nightmare not knowing what was happening one day to the next.

“The costing of it is just ridiculous, it feels like the hospital was just making up figures. I employed a lawyer and he got it down from £49,000 to £25,000. It is extortionate.

“It has been said that the hospitals there like to overcharge foreigners five times the amount, I don’t know how they get away with it.

“Everyone who donated is absolutely amazing. Without all the help and support of the people who donated we would not be here right now.”

Mr Stocker flew to Turkey on May 7 and was admitted to hospital on May 19.

But doctors then said he was severely dehydrated and had pneumonia so he was placed in an induced coma for two weeks before being woken up. It was then his family were informed of the rising medical bill.

Ms Stocker, 33, said during their ordeal: “It is like they are holding him hostage and won’t release him until the first £20,000 is paid. They won’t give us an itemised bill or any paperwork. It seems like it is all made up.”

Lee, a taxi driver from Weymouth, was determined to stay by his father’s side and spent six-and-a-half weeks with him in Turkey, with his employer Weyline paying for his hotel.

‘We’re so glad to be home’ 

After flying back to the UK, Mr Stocker stopped at the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester for a check-up before returning home.

Lee added: “Dad is doing OK. He still doesn’t feel well and is struggling with mobility after seven weeks in bed.

“He’s got a bit of a way to go still and we’re booking doctor appointments for blood tests and things to find out exactly what’s going on.

“It’s been a headache but we’re so glad to be home.”

The Ahu Hospital declined to comment.