NHS faces legal action after elderly woman dies

Posted 30/12/2010

A NHS trust is facing legal action amid allegations that it failed to properly care for an elderly lady in hospital who later died.

Dorothy Barnett, 94, was taken to Cumberland Infirmary for an endoscopy on March 16th 2010, the News and Star states.

She was kept in for seven days, but it is claimed that standards of care at the hospital fell well below what could reasonably have been expected.

Ms Barnett died on March 24th, shortly after being transferred to another care provider.

Her daughter Alix Martin insists that the patient had not been fed properly and that water and blankets had been placed out of her reach, leaving her dehydrated and cold.

She is now taking legal action against the North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust for clinical negligence.

“All I’m doing is exactly what she would have done in my circumstances,” Ms Martin remarked

Anyone affected by what they believe to be clinical negligence should seek the advice of an expert solicitor, as they may be eligible for compensation.

Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp, who heads the clinical negligence team at Ashtons Legal, comments: “This is the sort of case that seems inexplicable in a modern health service when basic care and kindness is absent. Sadly such cases are common.”