A distraught family is still searching for answers after a grandmother died in hospital – of THIRST.
Edna Thompson, 85, was admitted to Maidstone hospital with an eye condition, but died from dehydration eight days later after apparently being refused fluids – in case she wet the bed.
The mum-of-three was also kept on dehydrating medication too long, according to an internal review by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
But the family of the mum-of-three, who died in Maidstone Hospital’s Mercer Ward, are complaining they are being left in the dark, because they still don’t have a date for her inquest.
They have also complained of a lack of communication regarding the status of the ongoing investigation.
Daughter Sue Ealding said: “I am disgusted the coroner’s office have left myself and my brother and sister in limbo with no notification as to what is happening with my mother’s investigation.
“This is not good for any of the family who need some closure and this will not happen until the final death certificate is issued.
“We just want to know what is happening.”
Despite family repeatedly raising concerns about the former librarian becoming dehydrated, she went into renal failure and died eight days later.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust’s own investigation found a catalogue of errors in failing to prevent and act on the mother-of-three’s dehydration, including that she was given drugs known to cause thirst longer than she should have been.
Trust chief executive Glenn Douglas apologised unreservedly to the family.
On the weekend before her death, relatives raised concerns about her dehydration as she was unable to eat or drink unassisted – with one agency nurse allegedly denying fluids in case she wet the bed.
The family’s ordeal began as Edna lost her sight and her health deteriorated to such an extent, she could no longer eat or drink unassisted.
By the time clinicians acted on family concerns, it was too late to prevent her premature death.
A coroner’s court officer said the investigation continues and was unable to give a hearing date.
