News

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)
PNEUMONIA: Elizabeth Tudor.
PNEUMONIA: Elizabeth Tudor.
advertisement

Family labels OAP’s care as ‘diabolical’

Tom Rowley
7/ 2/2007

A CORONER is to write to Tameside Hospital after a family slammed the care given to a pensioner who contracted MRSA.

John Pollard criticised the care of 70-year-old Elizabeth Tudor and said there were "serious failings" at the hospital.

Elizabeth Tudor, of Kings Road, Ashton, died of bronchial pneumonia due to emphysema.

Her family claimed that cream for a rash afflicting the 70-year-old retired pub landlady was not applied, food left when she was asleep and records about MRSA infection incomplete or contradictory.

Moments after Mrs Tudor died on 12 September, son Paul claimed a nurse appeared with an intravenous drip saying, "I won't be needing this, then, will I?" He added: "The lack of care and treatment was diabolical - she contracted MRSA and was given drugs that made her more ill," he told an inquest.

"After a fall she is no longer with us. You'd expect to come out of hospital after a fall. You could put Tameside Hospital down as the cause of death."

Mrs Tudor broke her right shoulder in a fall three days after returning from holiday. After an operation she was discharged but with MRSA.

A carer noticed the rash on her leg. When she returned to hospital the next day she was told it was probably an antibiotic reaction that would clear. Instead it spread.

Mr Pollard said: "I know hospital staff have worked extremely hard over the last year or more to try to improve things and eradicate problems, but there are still serious failings that are appearing in inquests."

A hospital spkesman said: "The trust totally refutes the suggestion that Mrs Tudor was 'left to die'.

"The coroner heard evidence that was supported by investigation results that Mrs Tudor was not significantly dehydrated and that an attempt was made to insert a subcutaneous drip, but this failed as the patient was not absorbing fluid.

"He heard independent evidence that when the patient was initially discharged she was discharged with appropriate antibiotic therapy and that her rash and vasculitis were appropriately treated following consultation with a specialist dermatologist.

"The coroner adopted the independent pathologist's cause of death, which was pneumonia and emphysema.

"This was a consequence of immobility caused by the deceased's fall and it was unlikely that the MRSA caused the patient's death."

Verdict: Accidental death.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)


Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   As a health care professional working in the area, there are many comments that could be made about this case. I am very sorry to hear of the death of Mrs. Tudor but until an investigation has been made it is impossible to know the complete picture. My colleagues and I are rigorous in washing our hands after seeing all our patients. If there is a known case of MRSA then precautions are taken. However with MRSA ANYBODY can be a carrier and simply wearing an apron gloves and a mask will not stop the bacteria being carried through the air by simply breathing or on the visitors that come to the hospital or to the patients home. Aside from vetting evrybody and testing them as they come through the door there is only so much that can be done so stop the spread of MRSA. It will be a long time before any conclusions are found, but please remember that health care staff are only human, doctors can only diagnose based on their clinical experience and knowledge. Every person that I see is different and just because one person with one disease presents in clinic in one way, another pseron may have differing symptoms. Please do not think badly of us- with such staff shortages, we can only do our best.
Kaley, Manchester
2/03/2007 at 14:22
    The problem in all hospitals now to many Doctors going from one patient to another, not washing there hands and spreading the disease,nurses are just as bad. My mother recently had mrsa from contact with a nurse and Doctor so wash your hands and stop spreading it.
Barbara, Canada
9/02/2007 at 12:16
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now

Latest stories
 

 
Personal Finance
 

Customers with a 'good' credit profile
Company Typical APR
Platinum Exclusive Loan 7.8%
Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Halifax (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Alliance & Leicester 8.7%
Sainsbury's Personal Loan 8.9%
HASH(0x2ba4ee924580)
Provider AER*
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Savings Account 		5.50%
SAINSBURYS FINANCE
Internet Saver 		4.00%
FIRST DIRECT
Everyday e-Saver 		2.75%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
Online Tracker 		6.00%
ABBEY
Instant Access Saver (Special Issue 2) 		6.00%
ING DIRECT
Savings Account 		6.00%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
eSaver - Issue 2 		6.30%
ABBEY
eSaver Direct 		6.00%
POST OFFICE
Instant Saver 		3.75%
Fees may apply