Gran Dies of C-Diff in Thanet Hospital

- 11 September 2007;Isle of Thanet Gazette,

Distraught Family Asks: How Could This Happen?

A 95 year-old pensioner has died of the superbug Clostridium Difficile after being treated in Thanet Hospital.

Great grandmother Ellen Woodward from Ramsgate, was admitted on September 8th but sent home by medical staff twice despite being seriously ill and agonising pain.

She died, six weeks later, on October 20th and her family are taking legal action accusing the hospital; of ‘devastating negligence’.

Son in law David Stroud said hygiene on the wards could have been far better, adding ‘We never saw a cleaner on the wards – only in the corridors’. He said ‘As far as I’m concerned, the hospital killed her’.

‘They are too focused on meeting targets.’

‘It’s not right that she lived through both world wars just to end up dying in hospital like this.’

Mrs Stroud added ‘She was a friend and a mum, a real warm, loving person. I’m going to miss her terribly.’

Following an operation on September 11th, the hospital sent Ellen back to care home Wantsum lodge in Ramsgate on September 18th.

She left hospital with severe diarrhoea, no appetite, bad stomach pains and nausea.

She was re-admitted to Thanet hospital, on the Seabathing Ward, on September 27th.

After one night, no tests and still in excruciating pain she was again sent home.

On October 3rd, she re-entered Thanet hospital for the last time. She stayed on the Minster Ward but was given a private room five days later.

Ellen died alone at 2.30pm on Saturday 20th.

Mrs Stroud said ‘The hospital tried to blame Wantsum Lodge but they are completely blameless with no trace of C-Diff. They’re just trying to pass the buck.

Ellen’s family feel there was ‘devastating negligence’ on the hospital’s part and feel hygiene standards could have been better.

The family have employed Canterbury based solicitors Harman & Harman to press the case and have logged their complaint with the NHS.