An independent inquiry has been announced after the revealed today that an elderly man is being treated for a life-threatening infection contacted when he was allegedly left on a bedpan for up to five days in a Sydney hospital.

The acting NSW Health Minister, John Hatzistergos, this morning referred the incident to the Health Care Complaints Commission, describing it as "deeply disturbing".

He said action would be taken if the allegations were found to be true.

The man, 80, from Gladesville, was forced to undergo two bouts of surgery after the green pan became embedded in his skin, causing massive ulcers on both buttocks and leaving him with a hole at the base of his spine big enough to fit two fists.