Pensioner Dies Three Days After Being Released from Hospital

A 79-year-old woman was rushed to London's Queen Elizabeth Hospital after suffering with severe abdominal pain. Mrs Sledmere was diagnosed as having either gallstones or gastritis and was discharged from hospital on the same day. Doctors were unable to get her an ultrasound appointment which could have helped to diagnose her condition.

Mrs Sledmere died with a perforated gallbladder just three days after she was discharged. Following her death, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust carried out an internal investigation. The report found that an ultrasound would probably have picked up the pensioner's inflamed gallbladder, adding:

"There may have been an opportunity to alter the outcome."

The case is currently being investigated and the Trust has offered condolences to the family of Mrs Sledmere. Mrs Sledmere's husband has now instructed lawyers to investigate his wife's care.

Mr Sledmere has described how powerless he felt and said:

"Our family has been left devastated by Shirley's death. We feel that if Shirley had received an ultrasound when she was first admitted to hospital, doctors could have realised the seriousness of her condition and not sent her home. We feel that doctors would then have been able to spot the warning signs and taken appropriate action and she may still be alive."

If your health has suffered due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Call our legal experts on 0203 206 1133 for more information.

Broadgate Legal

Clinical Negligence Solicitors