Coroner warning over bed blocking after woman dies

Dorothy Reid was 'in discomfort for hours' in a busy emergency department at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the report stated

A coroner has issued a warning to health bosses after the death of a 91-year-old woman who refused to go to A&E after a previous "poor" experience.

A report found Dorothy Reid chose not to return to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM), in Margate, when an ambulance was called on 31 March, 2024, after symptoms relating to her broken back worsened.

Mrs Wood said Ms Reid had been left in a chair overnight when she first visited the hospital 10 days earlier, and had she returned, may not have died when she did.

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT), which runs the QEQM, has apologised for Ms Reid's "difficult experience".

Ms Reid had a fall on 13 March and was treated for a head wound in a minor injuries unit before being sent home.

She was then sent for an X-ray on 21 March, which revealed fractures to her spine.

Ms Reid was referred to the emergency department at QEQM, where she spent the night in a chair because there were no available beds.

Doctors discharged her from hospital and gave her advice on how to keep mobile.

'Difficult experience'

On 31 March, Ms Reid's daughter contacted the 111 service and an ambulance was called after she had complained of shortness of breath accompanied by swollen feet and lower legs.

"Although the ambulance crew advised she should attend hospital, she wanted to avoid a trip to hospital due to her previously having to wait in discomfort for hours," the report stated.

She was seen by a GP the following day and told to call an ambulance if her condition deteriorated.

On 2 April, Ms Reid was taken to hospital but left in the waiting room again as the department was busy.

She deteriorated further and was taken to the resuscitation department, where she had a heart attack.

Ms Reid died shortly after 03:30 BST on 3 April.

Her cause of death was recorded as a blood clot which developed during her reduced mobility because of the fall.

The fall also caused spinal fractures due, in part, to underlying osteoporosis.

The report stated: "Had she gone to hospital on 31 March 2024 when advised to do so, it is likely her pulmonary embolus would have been diagnosed in the emergency department and treated, and she would not have died when she did."

The coroner said beds "blocked by patients fit for discharge" put pressure on emergency departments.

NHS England has previously said roughly 96% of hospital beds were full, with one in seven beds taken by patients who were medically fit to be discharged.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We will tackle delayed discharges by improving links between the NHS and social care, shifting the focus of care from hospital to community."

EKHUFT said: "We are sorry Dorothy had such a difficult experience in our emergency department last March, which falls way below the standard we want for our patients.

"We extend our condolences to Dorothy's family."

With additional reporting from PA media.