Data shows 1,500+ A&E visits for ‘foreign body in rectum’ with door handle and Lego on item lists
More than 1,500 people attended A&E in England for a “foreign body in rectum” in 2022 (Getty Images)
Data analysed by the Press Association says that in 2022 more than 1,500 people attended A&E in England for a “foreign body in rectum”, with some NHS trusts listing objects ranging from a door handle and toilet brush handle to “Lego bricks in balloons”.
The figures and examples come from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests sent by the Press Association to hospital trusts across England, requesting data since 2022.
The item lists that were provided include objects such as “vapes, Lego bricks and TV remotes”, as well as a “bank card”.
What did the FOI data show, and how many trusts responded?
The Press Association sent more than 100 FOI requests to hospital trusts nationwide, seeking information from 2022 onwards.
Of the 106 hospital trusts that received the FOI request, only 11 responded with an itemised list of objects removed from patients’ rectums.
Among the examples recorded by hospitals in Lewisham and Greenwich in south London were Lego pieces placed inside balloons, “a toothbrush” and “a door handle”.
Berkshire hospitals also logged a case involving “both a deodorant bottle and toilet brush handle in one go”. Other items mentioned include TV remotes, children’s toys, a cocktail stirrer and a bank card.
What doctors want patients to know about seeking help
Chris Nordstrom, an A&E consultant at Northwick Park Hospital in north-west London, said emergency departments focus on care rather than judgement.
“Thankfully, incidents of this kind are relatively uncommon but, when they do occur, our priority is to provide safe, compassionate and non-judgmental care,” he said.
Nordstrom also urged people not to delay getting help if something has gone wrong. “We would always encourage anyone experiencing difficulties to seek medical attention promptly rather than risk further injury,” he said.
