Hospital apologises over death of former Shropshire woman, 25

Hospital chiefs today apologised to the family and friends of a Shropshire woman who died at the age of 25 after surgeons reacted too slowly to a build-up of pressure in her brain.

Sarah Chadd, who grew up in Quarry Gardens in Ludlow, died at University Hospital in Birmingham on August 10, 2009, from seizures and hydrocephalus.

An operation 11 days earlier had found an unremovable brain tumour behind her eyes.

Her parents, who live in Shropshire, yesterday said they were considering legal action against the hospitals which cared for their daughter, who lived in Worcester.

The University Hospital Birmingham Trust today admitted surgeons should have noted Miss Chadd's condition was deteriorating and ordered a CT scan earlier. It revealed new systems have been introduced to ensure junior doctors and nurses now feel more confident to raise fears with senior staff members.

Fiona Alexander, for University Hospital Birmingham Trust, said today: "The trust would like to apologise to the family and friends of Miss Chadd that it did not sufficiently recognise that her condition had started to deteriorate after August 8, 2009, and undertake a CT scan until she deteriorated further.

"The trust has now put in place arrangements for junior and nursing staff to escalate their concerns and obtain assistance where necessary when patients show deterioration. Procedures have also been put in place to ensure an increased neurosurgical consultant presence over the weekend."

A deputy coroner ruled on Monday there was "inadequate" communication bet-ween a junior doctor, reg- istrar and on-call consultant at University Hospital.