Death of elderly patient ‘could have been avoided’

Irene Wall, who suffered from dementia and diabetes, fell several times during almost two months in hospital - and he believes no steps were taken to prevent further falls.

The 90-year-old died of a brain haemorrhage on January 22, 2009, nine days after a fall that a nurse expert said could have been avoided.

Her son Michael Wall has settled out of court for £3,000 compensation and is challenging an inquest verdict of accidental death.

He said: “From the word go she was treated badly and if she wasn’t treated she was ignored a lot of the time.

“All this has been about justice. I don’t care about the money. I hope it’s going to save other people’s lives. I wanted to make them aware of the danger.”

Mrs Wall was admitted to Warwick Hospital on December 1, 2008 following a fall at her home in Dorridge. With worsening dementia caused by strokes, she was dependent on insulin but no longer able to regulate her diabetes.

Mr Wall, her full-time carer, said her condition improved when she was in Nicholas Ward, but serious problems began when she was moved to its Charlecote Ward.

Still mobile enough to walk around, notes indicated Mrs Wall should be supervised. But even after falls on January 6 and 9, Mr Wall claimed no action was taken.

On January 13 she fell again, hitting her head on a radiator and suffering ultimately fatal injuries

In a report, Maureen Bingham, a nurse expert brought in by Mr Wall’s solicitors, wrote: “The fall... was more likely than not avoidable had further appropriate assessments and care planning been taken.

“In my opinion the nursing staff did not take sufficient account of Mrs Wall’s history of falling or her overall health status.”

A spokeswoman for South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said it had settled with no admission of fault. She added: “The trust has a strong focus on service quality and continues to take steps to reduce the risk of falls in older confused patients.

“It has also implemented a Royal College of Physicians program of care for patients.”