Parents seek action over son's death

Andrew Raybould was 30 when he died in February 2012 of severe pancreatitis, sepsis and multi-organ failure.

His parents, Geoff and Maureen, say he was referred to the hospital three times but was sent home because staff were unable to identify the problem.

The couple, from Aldridge, have instructed law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether more could have been done to diagnose his condition sooner.

They say Mr Raybould first began suffering symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and constipation at the end of December 2011.

In January 2012 his GP referred him to Walsall Manor Hospital for investigations as to the cause of his symptoms. However, over the course of that month, they say Mr Raybould was discharged from Walsall Manor Hospital three times, with hospital staff unable to identify the problem.

The parents say he lost two stone in weight and was in constant and severe pain.

He was admitted to intensive care and died on February 2.

Rebecca Risby, an expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell's Birmingham office representing the family, said: "It was not until Andrew became critically ill that pancreatitis and sepsis were diagnosed, by which time it was too late for him to undergo any treatment."

Mrs Raybould, aged 58, said: "It was awful watching him suffer in agony but we felt helpless as hospital staff kept discharging him."

Mr Amir Khan, medical director at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust: "We are aware that there have been a number of concerns raised around the death of Mr Raybould whilst in our care.

"A formal complaint has been made through our Patient Relations service which we have taken very seriously and as a result, have undertaken a full investigation and will continue to liaise closely with the family to share our findings."