Pensioner poisoned in ward blunder

A pensioner died after a machine to help his breathing was mistakenly topped up with the wrong liquid by hospital staff, an inquest heard.

Walter Green, aged 75, died days after the blunder at Walsall Manor Hospital where he was being treated for throat cancer, the hearing was told.

The case is also being investigated by West Midlands Police and Health and Safety Executive.

Mr Green inhaled an iodine-based solution which had been wrongly poured into a humidifier instead of sterile water.

The chemical, gastrografin, which had not been labelled, was meant for another patient, the inquest heard.

Mr Green was taken to Heartlands Hospital for more treatment but died seven days later.

Giving evidence at Smethwick Town Hall, consultant Mr Hugh Griffiths told the inquest Mr Green, of Fenn Rise, Summer Hayes, Willenhall, had been fitted with a tracheotomy at the Manor.

The machine was to relieve dryness in the throat.

Acting night sister Deborah Allport said: "When I came on duty I was informed by the nurse-in-charge that something unusual had happened and that the humidifier contained a frothy liquid. On investigation it was found to contain gastrografin."

Under cross-examination by barrister Mr Neil Chawla, Mrs Allport said during discussions with the staff about the incident on September 6, 2007, she asked a nurse, Diane Miller, whether she had given gastrografin to the patient.

"She said she had marked the bottle, but had forgotten to label it," said Mrs Allport.

"She recognised the bottle when it was shown to her."

Mrs Allport was among several staff who told the inquest gastrografin was rarely seen or used on the ward and said they were unaware of a change two years ago in the hospital's policy on how it should be administered.

The hearing continues.