Man, 88, who died after fall 'let down' by NHS

John Codd, 88, died in Royal Cornwall Hospital after suffering a fall

The NHS has been accused of "failing" an elderly man who died after waiting more than five hours to be admitted to hospital.

John Codd, 88, died in Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on 16 January after suffering a fall the same day.

Mike Norris, a friend speaking on behalf of Mr Codd's family, said it was "too late to do anything" by the time Mr Codd was seen by hospital staff.

Health officials apologised for the delays he experienced.

On Sunday NHS Cornwall declared a "critical incident" due to "sustained pressure" on services at its main hospital.

South Western Ambulance Service confirmed it took two hours and 18 minutes for an ambulance to reach Mr Codd last week.

He then waited more than three hours in the back of the ambulance until he was seen by accident and emergency staff.

'They let him down'

Mr Norris said he believed Mr Codd's injuries should not have been fatal.

He said: "There are circumstances about Bill's death which are not very satisfactory at all - the slow response time, being kept in an ambulance outside and then arriving in A&E too late to do anything - for an injury which he should not really have died from.

"The NHS failed him... we wouldn't want that to happen to anyone else.

"His daughter Leaf, his companion Cilla and I think that his life shouldn't be lost in vain - it should be used to put a marker down, to try and improve this system."

Mr Norris said Mr Codd, who was from St Austell, had served in the Army before working for Ordnance Survey.

He added: "He served with distinction, and when we get old, we rely on the NHS responding to our needs.

"In this case, they let him down."

'Doing everything possible'

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) said they were conducting a review of the care Mr Codd received.

"We are sorry for the delays Mr Codd experienced and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family following his sad death," they said in a joint statement.

"As well as our own review of Mr Codd's care, an investigation will be undertaken by the Coroner ahead of an inquest which will be heard in the coming months.

"None of us want patients to experience any delay in their care and staff across our health and care system are doing everything possible to ensure people are able the get the care they need, when they need it."