Elderly person passes away due to hospital's inadequate care.

A 97-year-old woman passed away following "sub-optimal care" at a hospital, as determined by a coroner. June Violet Findlay, who lived at home with the help of carers and family, suffered a fall on October 23, 2024. She was taken by ambulance to Frimley Park Hospital in Frimley. After undergoing surgery for a hip injury and receiving a cast on her wrist, Mrs. Findlay lost over 5.3kg (approximately 0.8 stone) before her transfer to the Heathlands rehabilitation unit in Bracknell, Berkshire, on November 6. Sadly, she passed away on December 11 at Thames Hospice in Maidenhead.

In response to the incident, a spokesperson from Frimley Health NHS Trust stated that they are "reviewing what further improvements are needed to support safe, high-quality care."

During the inquest, Robert Simpson, Berkshire's assistant coroner, expressed concern over the "inconsistent" documentation at the hospital. Mrs. Findlay had been flagged as being at high risk of malnutrition shortly after her admission. However, some of her medical records were either missing or incomplete, and ward staff failed to follow the advice provided by dieticians or the established care plans.

Simpson further noted that despite evidence presented during the inquest that all ward staff had received training and that records were audited monthly, there was no indication that the hospital had addressed these issues after Mrs. Findlay's care.

The coroner concluded that Mrs. Findlay's death was due to "natural causes, exacerbated by an accidental fall, and on the background of sub-optimal care in the hospital."

The NHS Trust acknowledged the report from the coroner and stated that they are reviewing it thoroughly. "We are a learning organisation and take concerns raised seriously," the spokesperson added, confirming that they are committed to further improvements to ensure the provision of safe, high-quality care.