Dying man left in Tameside hospital corridor for 22 hours

A dying man with a chronic lung condition and a serious infection was left in a corridor in Tameside Hospital’s Accident and Emergency department for 22 hours.

Patient John Howlett was taken to the hospital from The Lakes Care Home in Dukinfield after he became seriously ill.

Mr Howlett who suffered from severe chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) required oxygen and was bed bound.

An inquest last month, heard he became “increasingly frail” at the care home and was not eating or drinking properly.

He was transfered to Tameside hospital where he was eventually treated but his condition worsened.

He died as a result of his COPD on January 31 this year.

The circumstances of his death revealed he died from “exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonry disease contributed to by frailty due to dehydration and poor nutritional status”.

However, Alison Mutch, the senior coroner for South Manchester has revealed she is concerned with Mr Howlett’s initial treatment at Tameside hospital.

In a Report to Prevent Further Deaths she has passed on her concerns to the Lakes Care Home, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and wtchdog the Care Quality Commission.

She said: “During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern.

“In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.

“The inquest heard that on arrival at A&E at Tameside Hospital Mr Howlett spent 22 hours in a corridor despite suffering from an infection and the distress that caused.

“The inquest was told that this was due to the demands on the department and the challenges of moving patients onto wards due to capacity issues.

“The inquest was told tht this was not unique to that particular day or indeed to the hospital and was the picture across the country at the time.”

Ms Mutch has also raised questions over Mr Howlett’s care at The Lakes.

She said: “The evidence before the inquest indicated that hte care home in question had been of concern in relation to the care offered to residents for some time.

“It was indicated that action plans were in place particularly in relation to safeguarding concerns given the vulnerability of residents.

“However, despite those steps being in plance andthe concerns, the systems were not in place at the care home to robustly monitor his nutritional status and fluid intake.

“He became increasingly frail with decreased physiological reserves as a consequnce.”

The parties have until November 1 to respond to the coroner’s concerns.