A CORONER has voiced his concern about the standard of care an elderly patient received at Trafford General Hospital.

Edith Swindlehurst died of bronchial pneumonia three and a half weeks after she was admitted - and the condition may have been sparked off by another patient 'force feeding' her.

Her weight plummeted by 15 kg while she was in hospital and her three-bed bay was so cold she had to be wrapped in blankets, an inquest at Sale heard.

The day after Edith, 76, was admitted a ward sister incorrectly told the family she had suffered a heart attack, while her relatives complained daily that her clothing was wet and food had dribbled on it.

Although the family claim she could feed herself when she went in - to be treated for swelling to her left leg - a short time later she had to be fed and the family told nursing staff an elderly and confused patient was forcing drinks down her.

Shortly before Edith, of Dover Park, Davyhulme, died, a nurse noticed a patient near her had an empty beaker and was concerned she had forced Edith to have a drink.

But it was not possible to say whether 'force feeding' had caused her to aspirate, or if it was attributable to natural causes, the inquest heard. The post mortem revealed she had suffered a recent stroke.

But, recording an open verdict, coroner John Pollard said: "There are factors which have been raised in court today that have caused me some degree of concern about Mrs Swindlehurst's treatment."

Edith's daughter, Glynis Hirst, earlier told the inquest: "I am disgusted at the treatment she received. They didn't seem interested in her at all."

Diane Fiefield, a nursing sister and ward manager at Trafford General, said the engineers had been notified of heating problems on the ward and there were times when it was cold when Edith was there.

Dr Joseph Anandadas, consultant in care of the elderly at Trafford General, said when she was admitted she was suffering from a number of medical conditions and was very frail. He claimed she had a history of weight loss and this continued after she was admitted. Her family disputed this.

After the inquest, Edith's son, Colin, who was also her carer, revealed the family planned to sue the hospital.

John Sargent, chief executive of Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust, says: "Staff at Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust wish to express their deepest sympathies to Mrs Edith Swindlehurst's family for the sad loss they have suffered.

"Before the inquest, the Trust began enquiries into the circumstances surrounding this incident and investigations are continuing in consultation with the Swindlehurst family."

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