War hero, 89, died after being left in dirty bed

A war veteran died after being found in appalling conditions at Walsall Manor Hospital, an inquest heard. Hospital chiefs have apologised to the family of Leslie Westwood.

The 89-year-old grandfather-of-nine, who took part in the Normandy Landings, died a day after being discovered in a filthy hospital bed.

He was found lying on a vomit-stained pillow by relatives visiting him on Ward 15, an acute dependency ward. He had also suffered diarrhoea and not been cleaned, the hearing was told. He died a day later of renal failure and MRSA.

The inquest held at the hospital yesterday also heard Mr Westwood, of Lancaster Close, Bloxwich, had poor vision, mobility problems and could be difficult, but was not given enough help to eat, or kept clean.

Family friend and live-in carer Kevin McTaggarty told the hearing he fed supplement drinks to Mr Westwood to ensure he ate while in the hospital.

"The staff said he would not eat, but I told them they had to persevere with him because he was virtually blind and could not reach over to the side table for the food. They just put his things down and left it," said Mr McTaggarty, now of Hollyhedge Lane, Birchills.

He told coroner Robin Balmain he and Mr Westwood's daughter June Jones arrived shortly before the shift change at 7pm on January 25 to find him dirty and distressed as staff stood at the nurses' station nearby, some with their coats on.

Mrs Jones, aged 57, of Eagle Close, Cheslyn Hay, said: "I was really alarmed by what I saw. There was a vile smell and he was in distress and was really upset."

She went to ask for someone to clean him up but the nurses had gone. She said her father was eventually cleaned by a night shift nurse 10 minutes later.

Head of nursing Paula Gardner and ward sister Nicky Dickson apologised to Mr Westwood's family.

Mr Balmain recorded a verdict of natural causes.

He said Mr Westwood had needed high levels of nursing care. "This was a man who at certain times seems to me did not get that care," he added.