Investigation at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire after death of 80-year-old Peggy Bloor
GREAT-GRANDMOTHER Peggy Bloor had to be rushed back to hospital in a desperately-ill condition less than six hours after doctors sent her home.
The 80-year-old, who initially needed treatment for just a cut arm and head, died at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire a week later.
Now her loved-ones have forced an investigation after claiming she was the victim of a string of failings in her basic care. They say she:
fell twice on a ward;
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was denied an X-ray for a lower back injury after the tumble;
blocked a bed for a week because of delays in arranging her discharge;
was kept on an emergency department trolley for more than 12 hours.
The tragedy comes 19 years after her husband Sam died at home four days after being discharged from the same hospital.
Son Keith Bloor, aged 55, of Southern Way, Smallthorne, said: "I feel like the NHS has now taken both our parents.
"We took legal action after dad died and they promised lessons had been learned. But clearly that wasn't the case so we'll fight for this never to happen to anyone else."
Mrs Bloor, a former pottery worker, was still so poorly with a bad chest and water retention fluid was dripping from her swollen legs and feet when she was discharged from ward 123 on May 16. And three hours later a district nurse visited her home to find her temperature was a 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
Her GP called round to examine her and ordered an ambulance to take her back to hospital.
The mother-of-three later died on May 23 of the bacterial infection, sepsis, caused by a chest infection, lung illness and heart disease.
Her nightmare had begun when she fell at her home in Bradeley Village on May 1.
Daughter Sue Weston, aged 51, from Norton Green, said: "When she was discharged she was in a dreadful state.
"Another patient on a drip was standing nearby waiting to use the bed when she left.
"All we can think is she caught something in the hospital and I couldn't believe we were having to take her home.
"The hospital needs to learn that even if you are old you still deserve a decent level of care."
Fiona Howell, matron for elderly care, said: "We would like to offer our condolences to Mrs Bloor's family.
"Throughout her 16-day stay our staff worked hard to improve her condition, and, following a review by her consultant geriatrician and a comprehensive set of observations in the last hour of her stay, she was discharged home.
"Significant support had been arranged for Mrs Bloor's discharge.
"However, Mrs Bloor was readmitted shortly afterwards. At this time there was no evidence of infection and all observations were within normal parameters. Mrs Bloor subsequently began to develop signs of an infection during this second stay and despite attempts to treat this she passed away a week later."
Comments
by blutoboy
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 8:21PM
“[mr frog] My mother was bad, but she still tryed to walk you just do not lie there and give up ''so what you are saying if you try to walk you are not bad.ho and by the way you should not make the comment you made if you do not no facts' GOOD BUY”
by MrFrog1000
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 5:34PM
“After reading the "story" above I though I would cooment on this, my gran was in ward 123 a few months ago, and the care she got in there was far different to what the story above says. She was looked after in a very caring way and always was asked how she was, all her needs were attened to. We could not thank the staff enough in there. and would highly recommend this ward for its excellent care to anyone.
Regarding the lady in the story how did she fall twice if she was in bed very ill ? People who are ill in hospitals are not usual discharged ? And a doctor on the ward would have seen her state and surely would not have discharged her ?
Surly some of the other staff would have seen the condtion of this lady and would have asked something?
I do find this story gives only one sides view, and I would love to hear what the staff have to say on this matter. It must be very disheartening to read something like this in a local newspaper. And when the family have already taken actions on this before , it begs the question why do they need to go to a local paper , are they trying to get publicity for themselves, if it was my mum I would like to keep my familys life private and not have it put in front of the whole of the readership of the local paper.
Regarding the paper the press love stories like this and they know it sells newspapers, but it begs the question in an age where newspapers are decreasing in sales and a lot of local newspapers are going weekly is this just to boost sales ?”
by invisable
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 4:37PM
“When is the goverment going to realize that someones health is more important than meeting targets. They rush people in to the hospital and rush them out again clearly before people are well enough to go home. Elderley people are frail and they deserve better treatment after working and paying their taxes all their lives, shame on the goverment.”
by Sandytek
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 2:35PM
“I would like to wish Keith and Sue my condolences. I hope your legal action really does force this hospital to make changes so this doesnt happen to anyone else in the future. I put in a complaint about my father's treatment 6 years ago, I didnt take legal action but now wish I had. I never got my answers as they closed he case but they did promise changes, as you and your family are painfully aware promises mean nothing. All he best in your fight.”