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A mum and daughter who used a London hospital as a "free B&B" for 15 months can now return home to Grimsby.

Ruth Kidane, 21, was admitted to Barnet Hospital, North London, last year before her mother Mimi Tebeje, 50, moved in alongside her.

The pair still live there, free of charge, months after Ruth was deemed fit to be discharged because another tenant moved into their Grimsby flat.

The situation saw the pair thrust into the centre of a media storm yesterday and become subject of national condemnation.

(Image: Copyright unknown)

But now North East Lincolnshire Council said the pair are free to return to Grimsby as a suitable property is now available.

But a spokesman said the mum and daughter had not responded to multiple attempts at contact. He urged them to get in touch as soon as possible.

It's estimated 100 patients have missed out on a bed due to their 15-month "hotel stay", which it is claimed has cost taxpayers £150,000.

Ruth, who is disabled and uses a motorised scooter, was admitted to Barnet Hospital in July last year for unknown reasons.

She shared Instagram photos from her room and on days out with her mum, who moved into the hospital bed next to her.

Witnesses told The Sun that Ruth has enrolled on an art and design course and has ASOS parcels delivered to the hospital reception desk.

(Image: Getty Images)

The situation has been branded "shocking and disgraceful" by Patient Concern's Joyce Robins.

She said: "Apart from the incredible cost, it is hugely unfair to others.

"I can’t understand why the hospital would let this continue. Their job is to make people better not offer a free B&B.”

Ben Ramanauskas, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, added: “People should not be using the cash-strapped NHS as a free hotel service.”

Hospitals and trusts can obtain possession orders to remove patients from a bed, but Royal Free Hospital Trust, which runs Barnet, has not issued any legal proceedings.

A spokesman for North East Lincolnshire Council said: “We appreciate that these are distressing circumstances for Mrs Tebeje and Miss Kidane.

“We have tried to contact Mrs Tebeje and Miss Kidane a number of times but they have not yet responded to us.

“We have accepted our legal duty to provide accommodation for them, and have a suitable property available. We would urge them to contact us as soon as possible."