Vic hospital sued over catheter problems

A man is suing a Victorian hospital over what he says was a bungled urinary catheter insertion.

John Youll, 63, says he has suffered a loss of sexual function and enjoyment and depression since the error that created a "false passage" in his urethra.

A statement of claim lodged in the Supreme Court of Victoria says the catheter was inserted by a member of staff at the Wodonga Campus of the Albury Wodonga Hospital on June 3, 2013.

"As a result of the said insertion, a false passage was created into the tissue of the urethra," Mr Youll claims.

It was left in place for two hours before it was removed.

Failing to insert the catheter correctly and immediately realising there was a problem breached the hospital's duty of care, court documents allege.

Mr Youll says he has had a number of procedures to treat the condition but still suffers from urinary problems and "loss of enjoyment of life".

He is seeking past and ongoing medical costs as well as general damages.