An inquest is set to examine the death of Pat Dawson, a 73-year-old woman who died shortly after being admitted to a hospital in Blackburn, Lancashire. Pat had not been ill before and had never been in the hospital. The family alleges that hospital staff mistakenly took the wrong patient’s notes, which included a “do not resuscitate” (DNR) form, resulting in Pat being left to die after she went into cardiac arrest. The hospital staff later realized that they had checked the wrong records and that Pat was not in fact a DNR patient. The family is concerned about the chaotic atmosphere in A&E departments and the potential consequences of mistakes being made in such settings.
Pat’s daughter-in-law, Paula Dawson, described the tragic events that unfolded as Pat was taken by ambulance to the Royal Blackburn Hospital. She highlighted that within a short span of time, Pat went into cardiac arrest and the hospital staff checked her records, mistakenly believing she had a DNR in place, leading them to stop CPR. Paula expressed uncertainty about whether Pat could have survived had she been resuscitated. Following Pat’s passing, there were multiple instances where hospital staff entered the room and did not realize she had passed away, raising concerns about the attentiveness and communication within the hospital. Paula and her husband do not wish to blame individual employees but are emphasizing the importance of understanding the challenges faced by hospitals and the NHS in delivering care in high-pressure environments.
The East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, which operates the hospital where Pat was admitted, conducted an investigation into the circumstances of her death. The Trust acknowledged the pain experienced by Pat’s family and offered condolences, expressing a willingness to address their concerns. However, the Trust refrained from making further public comments until the conclusion of the impending inquest. The case highlights the emotional toll that medical errors and oversights can have on families, and the need for thorough investigations to prevent such incidents in the future.
The inquest into Pat’s death is scheduled to take place, allowing for a detailed examination of the events surrounding her passing. Paula shared details of the mix-up with patient records that led to the fatal error, emphasizing the need for clarity and accuracy in medical procedures. The family’s experience has sparked discussions about the challenges faced by healthcare providers in managing complex cases under time constraints and the importance of ensuring adequate staffing levels and resources to prevent errors. The tragic outcome of this incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that communication, training, and oversight play in safeguarding patient welfare and preventing unnecessary harm or loss of life. As the family awaits the findings of the inquest, they are hopeful that lessons will be learned to prevent similar incidents and improve patient safety in healthcare settings.
