Doris Huntley - Kent Messenger

- 01 May 2006;Kent Messenger

THE DISTRAUGHT and angry family of a pensioner who died in hospital are calling for an independent inquiry into the circumstances of her death.

Doris Huntley, of Baker Close, Teynham, celebrated her 80th birthday two days before being admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, on March 20 suffering shortness of breath.

The bright and much-loved mother and grandmother at the centre of a large family from the village and Sittingbourne was expected to come out of hospital soon afterwards.

Lawyer Sarah Harman, acting on behalf of the family, said while in hospital on March 30, Mrs Huntley, a widow, was being assisted to wash by two auxiliaries, when she was left unattended on her bed, fell and broke her hip.

Ms Harman added: "Her health began to fail and she developed bedsores and what was thought to be a thrombosis as a result of the fracture and the necessary operation.

"Her death on May 13 came as a surprise to the family who felt they had not been adequately counselled about her condition.

"Even before Doris's unexplained death, the family had been asking questions about her care. They became increasingly frustrated at the lack of answers.

"Eventually at a meeting on December 2, the hospital admitted that Doris should not have been left unattended on a bed resulting in a fall which should have been avoided and that her death should have been reported to the coroner so that a decision about a possible post-mortem examination or inquest into the cause of death could have been undertaken."

Christine Hartshorn, also of Baker Close, is one of Mrs Huntley's five children. She said: "It has been a living nightmare for all of us. We want the hospital to hold an independent inquiry. We feel there are still unanswered questions about her care and the failure of the hospital to properly investigate her death. We just hope other families do not go what we have been through."

Ms Harman said: "Proceedings are being taken against the hospital but the important thing is that there should be a full independent inquiry."

The hospital says it cannot comment on the specifics of the case as it is now the subject of a formal litigation claim but it does sent its "heartfelt sympathy" to the family.

A hospital spokesman said: "Previously the trust has corresponded with, and met, members of Mrs Huntley's family. The trust has acted on the issues raised and has responded in detail to their questions about Mrs Huntley's care. A Modern Matron for Older People's Services, Jayne Taylor, was appointed in May last year and she has taken forward many new initiatives to enhance the quality of care provided to our older patients."