Hospital trust bosses sorry over Shropshire father's death
Bosses at Shropshire's two main hospitals today apologised to the family of a "nil by mouth" patient who died after being given food and drink.
The family of pensioner Dennis Edwards, 73, of Bayston Hill, who died following a routine operation, have received an undisclosed payout, following action by lawyers Irwin Mitchell.
Mr Edwards underwent surgery to remove gallstones at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in August 2010.
During the operation, which involves a camera being inserted down the mouth, Mr Edward's throat was torn.
He was transferred to the Telford's Princess Royal Hospital for aftercare where he was given food and drink by medical staff despite notes saying he should not be fed.
The food and drink leaked into his chest causing widespread damage and infection. He was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but despite emergency surgery, his condition deteriorated and he died six weeks later.
Today bosses at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust said lessons had been learned.
Chief executive, Peter Herring, said: "This was a tragic case where the trust clearly failed to provide the high standard of care we aspire to.
"Since Mr Edwards' death in 2010 many improvements have been made to improve the quality and safety of the services we provide, such as those regarding patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. Once again I would like to apologise on behalf of the trust and offer our deepest sympathies to the family."
Mr Edwards left behind his wife Jean, 68, and two daughters Diane, 46, and Julie, 43.
Mrs Edwards said: "After Dennis passed away, we found it very hard to come to terms with what had happened. He suffered greatly in the final weeks of his life.
"If more care was taken and information passed more easily from one hospital to another, Dennis's condition would have been diagnosed earlier, giving him a much better chance of survival. We do finally have some peace of mind that his death wasn't in vain due to the trust implementing new policies to stop the same mistakes being made."
"It won't bring him back but it's some relief to know lessons have been learnt."
