MP calls for action after death

A patient who went to Kidderminster Hospital with an injured ankle died after a nurse failed to diagnose blood poisoning, it was revealed today.

The case has led to new calls for another doctor to be based at the hospital's minor injuries unit. Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor urged Worcestershire Primary Care Trust to "improve the quality of care for patients."

He claims that lives are being put at risk following the downgrading of the hospital's accident and emergency department because people are confused about where to go for treatment.

The latest case highlighted by Dr Taylor follows concerns he raised following the death of a seven-year-old Kidderminster boy earlier this year. An urgent care centre, with a doctor present during the day, has been set up at the Kidderminster Hospital since the boy's death. But Dr Taylor believes a doctor should be present in the unit until at least 10pm at night.

Dr Taylor said: "The latest patient was diagnosed purely by a nurse and told they had a sprained ankle but in actual fact was suffering from the beginning of blood poisoning."

A spokesman for Worcesteshire Primary Care Trust said today: "We are still awaiting a report from the Healthcare Commission on the investigation into the death of the seven-year-old boy."