Legal action threat over death
The family of a Shropshire grandmother who suffered a broken neck after being left alone on a hospital ward look set to take legal action against health bosses. The family of a Shropshire grandmother who suffered a broken neck after being left alone on a hospital ward look set to take legal action against health bosses. Jillian Hall died on March 8 in Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, more than two months after falling from a commode while being treated for a chest infection. At yesterday's inquest, Telford & Wrekin coroner Michael Gwynne ruled that hospital bosses had not been negligent in their treatment of Mrs Hall. Miss Satinder Bains, who represent Mrs Hall's family, said: "The family feel there is still some further investigating to be done at this stage and there is likely to be legal action taking place on behalf of the family." Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
At yesterday's inquest, Telford & Wrekin coroner Michael Gwynne ruled that hospital bosses had not been negligent in their treatment of Mrs Hall.
The 69-year-old mother of three, who lived at Brands Farm Way, Randlay, Telford, was left paralysed from the neck down after her fall on December 30 last year.
A post-mortem examination found Mrs Hall died from bronchopneumonia due to immobilisation due to a broken neck.
Miss Satinder Bains, a solicitor for Irwin Mitchell, who represent Mrs Hall's family, said afterwards that the case was far from closed.
Miss Bains said: "On behalf of the family of Mrs Jillian Hall, we would like to thank the coroner for conducting an investigation into the care that was provided to Mrs Hall.
"However, the family believe that, with proper care, these tragic circumstances could have been avoided.
Dr Stephen Evans, medical director of Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital Trust, was called to give evidence at the inquest.
At a previous inquest, Dr Evans had been told to change the way patients are cared for after what Mr Gwynne called a "spate" of deaths from falls.
Dr Evans said he was pleased that Mr Gwynne had not drawn parallels between Mrs Hall's case and those of others involving falls.
Speaking after the hearing, Dr Evans said: "I attended another inquest, after which there were maybe some lessons to be learned.
"Mrs Hall was assessed as being at low risk of suffering a fall when she was admitted to hospital. I am pleased that the coroner ruled there had been no lack of care in respect of Mrs Hall, in fact quite the opposite."
Dr Evans admitted he would be "disappointed" if any legal action was brought against the trust by Mrs Hall's family.
By Andy Walker
