Inquest for disabled woman who died after waiting 39 hours in hospital chair
The family of a disabled woman, who died after spending 39 hours in a chair in a hospital A&E department whilst suffering an asthma attack, say they hope the inquest into her death, which starts today, will provide the answers they are seeking.
An internal investigation by the Royal Preston Hospital has already identified numerous failures in the treatment of Marina Young’s asthma attack, but her family hopes the inquest will help them to piece together the final hours of her life and confirm whether the mistakes contributed to her death.
Marina, of Ribbleton, Lancashire, who was 46 when she died, had spina bifida, which limited her mobility, although she lived independently, could walk short distances, and would see her family every day. Marina, who was the first baby in the UK to have a bladder transplant, also had to use daily catheters to empty her bladder due to the impact of her spina bifida.
Marina was diagnosed with asthma as a child, but this was well controlled up until the severe episode that led to her being taken to the Royal Preston Hospital on 20 June 2022. Marina had driven herself the short distance to her sister Michelle Young’s house, at 7pm, which was an unusual time for Marina to be out and about. Michelle found Marina to be having an asthma attack and very short of breath. Michelle, who is a retired hospital ward sister, drove Marina to hospital, where she gave a full hand over of her medical history, including her continence needs and her reliance on catheters.
Michelle was unable to stay at the hospital with Marina due to the Covid restrictions that were in place at the time, however she was in regular contact with her via text message. On the evening of 21st June Marina texted Michelle to say she had been told she might need to be moved to intensive care.
At 10am on the 22nd June Michelle returned to the A&E department to drop items off for Marina, only to be told that she had died. When Michelle went to see Marina, she found that she still had her clothes and shoes on and smelt strongly of urine.
Michelle, 47, who lives very close to Marina’s home in Ribbleton, said: “As Marina’s sister but also as a retired nurse, I have scores of grave concerns regarding the way that Marina was treated in hospital. Losing Marina in such an appalling way has been profoundly devastating not just for me, but also our dad, who Marina cared for while he was undergoing cancer treatment and has sadly since passed away. I believe our dad’s death was contributed to by the stress of what happened to Marina. We hope as a family that this inquest process leads to change and to the avoidance of anyone else going through what we have had to endure.”
Madeleine Langmead, a medical negligence solicitor at law firm JMW, is providing support to Michelle through the inquest process to ensure her concerns are full addressed, and will also be investigating whether a legal case can be brought against the hospital. She said: “Marina was a much-loved sister and daughter and her death has had a catastrophic impact on her family. Nothing can bring Marina back but it is vital that she is given a voice and that her care is scrutinised. Marina was a vulnerable patient and her case could have wider implications for patient safety.”
The inquest into Marina’s death takes place on 24th and 25th September 2024 at County Hall, Preston.
Ends
Hospital investigation report available on request
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Note to Editors
JMW Solicitors LLP is a leading Manchester law firm and offers a broad range of legal services to both commercial and private clients.
JMW’s Clinical Negligence team is headed up by leading clinical negligence lawyer, Eddie Jones.
http://www.jmw.co.uk/services-for-you/clinical-negligence/