Outrage at death of father, 54
A cancer patient was sent home from Stafford Hospital after his family was told he was clear of a superbug – but the infection contributed to his death three weeks later, it has been revealed.
Alan Thompson, of Herondale, Cannock, died in June 2007 following what his family claim was a nightmare few weeks. His family says an internal report unearths yet more failures in care at the hospital following a catalogue of cases highlighted in the past few weeks.
Mr Thompson, aged 54, died at the hospital after contracting superbug clostridium difficile weeks earlier.
An internal report concluded there were shortfalls in his care.
Mr Thompson, a former RAF mechanic and lorry driver, was diagnosed with C.diff, but discharged later, with his family being told he was clear of the infection.
Just three days afterwards he was rushed back to the hospital, severely ill, and died three weeks later. Cause of death was said to be multiple myelomas, with contributing factors of C.diff and pneumonia.
Daughter Lisa Thompson, of Clarkes Avenue, Pye Green, today told the Express & Star that the Emergency Assessment Unit at the hospital was "not fit for a dog".
Mrs Thompson and her family claim the EAU was dirty. There were with bloodstains and dirt on doors, and her father was left with soiled linen and clothes in his room.
"We would find our father left in blood stained clothes and bed linen and had to pester staff for assistance."
The family also claim medication for another patient was left in the room by staff.
Mrs Thompson added: "They discharged my father and said he was fit and well, but he still had the C.diff. It is C.diff that killed him – they told us the cancer was stable.
"In our opinion it was also lack of care that was a big contribution to why my father died. He died naked with no dignity because they couldn't be bothered to dress him. What we saw in that hospital was disgusting.
"Our issue is not with the staff but with the management."
The Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust report concludes: "It is clear from the investigation that there are a number of shortfalls in Mr Thompson's care and the general standard of care offered to patients on the EAU."
An action plan was drawn up to address the areas of concern.
