Failure to provide drip 'led to death'

A hospital apologised yesterday to the family of an 86-year-old man who died of dehydration after medical staff failed to provide him with a drip.

An internal inquiry at Walsall Manor Hospital found that Frederick Thomas, from Bloxwich, West Midlands, died after he was not given enough to eat and drink for 12 days.

He had been admitted to the hospital suffering from a broken hip and had successfully undergone a hip replacement operation.

The hospital said Mr Thomas developed dehydration as a result of not being put on a drip which a doctor had requested. He died of kidney failure after suffering from low blood pressure, severe dehydration, blood poisoning and a chest infection.

Mr Thomas, who had three grandchildren, died on 6 June, the day of his 60th wedding anniversary to his wife, Edna.

The inquiry found that his deterioration was spotted only after he was transferred from Walsall Manor Hospital to the nearby Goscote Hospital because his bed was needed by another patient. He was taken on an emergency transfer back to the Manor after staff at the Goscote became aware of the severity of his condition.

John Rostill, chief executive of Walsall Manor Hospital, said he had written to Mr Thomas' family to "unequivocally apologise". He said a full investigation had begun.