Telford hospital boss apologises after opportunity to save 74-year-old woman's life was 'lost'
A hospital leader has apologised to the family of a 74-year-old woman whose death could have been prevented by more checks when she saw medics for a second time.
Margaret Gladys Roche, of Telford, died as the result of sepsis following a problem in her bowel that was not picked up when checks were not carried out.
She had been seen at the Princess Royal Hospital in the town on December 29 and 30, 2022, before her death at the Royal Cornwall Hospital on January 3, 2023.
A coroner was told that there were no concerns over her treatment in Cornwall but her family had their worries over her treatment in Telford.
Medics admitted not picking up the signs that Mrs Roche had a "rare condition with a high rate of mortality". She had presented with incontinence and had looked dehydrated and had been thought to be suffering from a urinary tract infection.
An inquest heard that the hospital was so busy that she was temporarily placed in a paediatric ward but had discharged herself.
Rebecca Race, the clinical director of emergency care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH), said changes have been implemented following the woman's death.
"On behalf of the team I am sorry," said Ms Race to members of the family who were asking her a series of in-depth questions online at Thursday's inquest.
"On her second visit to the hospital she was not given due care and I can't apologise enough. Due process would have picked up how ill she was.
