Coroner says sorry for delay of five years over Cheddleton grandmother Frances Machin's inquest
A FAMILY who waited five years for an inquest to be held into their loved one's death have received an apology from the coroner.
Frances Machin, aged 67, of Cheddleton, died at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in July 2007 after suffering multi-organ failure.
Yesterday, a verdict on the grandmother-of-two's death was finally delivered at North Staffordshire Coroners' Court.
Mrs Machin's family wanted the case to be heard before an inquest after complaining medics had failed to act quickly enough.
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The mother-of-two, who was born in Wetley Rocks, was admitted to hospital on July 4, 2007 after complaining of severe abdominal pain, caused by a bowel complaint.
Mrs Machin's family claimed that during her stay, they had to demand a CT scan. They also said that a subsequent operation finally went ahead 24-hours too late.
The mother-of-two passed away on the morning after the surgery to remove part of her bowel, which had become gangrenous.
Mrs Machin's relatives lodged complaints against the hospital and with the Health Care Commission.
Assistant deputy coroner Margaret Jones, who recorded a narrative verdict, apologised to the family during the hearing after Mrs Machin's records had lain dormant since 2008. Mrs Jones also met the family afterwards to discuss the delay.
A statement from the family read: "We have accepted the apology and have been reassured this cannot happen in future cases, as procedures have been implemented following this case."
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