An inquest heard the fall was not recorded as a cause of death on the death certificate
An inquest heard how a pensioner died following a fall at Coventry’s University Hospital.
Noreen Clements, 75, suffered a badly fractured pelvis after falling in a hospital bathroom on May 3 last year.
Over the next few days her condition deteriorated and she died two weeks later.
Mrs Clements’ family were convinced the fall and fractures had led to her death - even though this was not recorded as a cause on the death certificate.
At an inquest at Coventry Coroner’s Court, the pensioner’s family was represented by law firm Hugh James.
In a statement following the conclusion of the inquest on April 12, the firm said: “At the first day of the inquest on February 9 the family raised their concerns with regard the death certificate.
“The coroner, Emma Whitting, asked the doctors to reconsider the death certificate and they confirmed they maintained their previous position that the fracture was not a direct cause of her death.
“The coroner appreciated the family’s concerns and instructed an independent expert to provide a report on the medical cause of death.
“His opinion was that Mrs Clements died from hospital-acquired pneumonia resulting from both pelvic fractures and underlying kidney and cardiac disease.
“The inquest concluded on April 12 and the coroner confirmed that there had been a failure of the hospital to complete a falls care plan and implement it prior to her fall, despite recognising that she was at risk of falling.”
The law firm said the hospital had carried out an internal investigation and had now confirmed that changes would be implemented.
They added that the coroner was also writing to the chief executive of University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust to raise concerns about the investigation process and why the medical cause of death did not include the fracture.
Lynda Reynolds, of Hugh James, added: “In this instance the family had made strenuous efforts to find out when Mrs Clements had fallen, the circumstances of the fall and whether it had led to her death.
“At every stage they felt they had not been provided a comprehensive answer.
“I am pleased that they finally feel they know what happened, including recognition of the errors that occurred and now feel the death certificate accurately reflects the circumstances of their mother’s death."
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 9:41 pm