Elderly lady dies as a result of traumatic brain injury sustained in hospital
In September 2009 Peggy McGinn was admitted to hospital as a result of erratic behaviour following taking new blood pressure medication. Prior to this she was a fully independent, energetic, and mentally stable 87 year old lady who lived alone.
After a few days in a general ward she was transferred to the psychiatric unit St John’s Hospital, part of the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Whilst there Peggy periodically banged her head on a large radiator in her room, and suffered black eyes and bruising to her face, chest and arms because of inadequate observation and action by the staff.
At the end of September it was noted that she needed the structure and protection of the Mental Health Act. She was also noted to be physically unstable requiring careful monitoring due to her recent history of falls. She was transferred to the Ruby Ward, part of the same Trust at the end of November.
Peggy fell numerous times whilst under the care of the Trust. She was recorded to have fallen twice in October, once in November, three times in December and twice in January. However, her family witnessed her having black eyes and bruising on occasions when there was no report of her having fallen so the actual number of falls is not known. The recorded falls record injuries such as bruising, bleeding from the head, and a dislocated shoulder.
A day after the last recorded fall on 14 January Peggy’s nose bled and she vomited. A CT scan showed a bleed on her brain and she was transferred to Queens Hospital, Romford for Neurosurgery. She had surgery but died as a result of her head injuries two days after being taken off life support.
Understandably the family were very unhappy with the attitude of the staff and the appalling care that Peggy received. The Trust had failed in their duty to take all reasonable steps to protect Peggy from real and immediate risk to life which resulted in her death.
An offer of £15,000 for settlement of the claim was made to the Trust in December 2010 prior to issuing court proceedings under the Human Rights Act. The offer was accepted. An inquest into the cause of Peggy’s death is due to take place.