(Source: Profimedia)

KENT – Deaf Andrew Wiley had trouble communicating with doctors at the doctor’s office because there was no interpreter present in the room. One of the doctors believed that Wiley was begging them to remove his testicle. A man almost lost his testicles because of this misunderstanding.

Andrew Wiley, 47, went to Kent and Canterbury Hospital in February to discuss a painful cyst on his testicle with doctors.

“There were two doctors in the room. I tried to read their lips but it was really difficult since they had an accent. I tried to explain to them how much it hurt,” Wiley told KentOnline .

With difficulty, he managed to ask the doctor if it would be easiest to remove the testicle. The doctor sent the patient for the procedure without informing him of further details.

Wiley continued. In April, he returned to the hospital for the procedure – this time he had an interpreter with him. He was stunned to learn of the risks associated with the procedure.

He learned that the previous doctor had misinterpreted Wiley’s request.

 “It was just a miscommunication that I asked to have my testicles removed and he didn’t explain the risks and complications,” Wiley said.

Sarah Hayes, chief nursing officer at East Kent Hospitals, said:

“We are very sorry that Mr Wiley faced such difficulties during his consultation. We are committed to ensuring effective communication with our patients and Mr Wiley’s experience fell short of the standard we would have expected.”