Andy Shewan’s death at Whipps Cross Hospital was ‘avoidable’, an ombudsman found (Picture: Getty)
A man died days before his wedding because of serious failings in hospital care, an ombudsman has ruled.
Andy Shewan’s death was found to be ‘avoidable’, and he would have lived had it not been for ‘multiple failures of care’ at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, north-east London.
The 75-year-old and his fiancee, June Richards, were set to marry in January 2019 after 40 years together.
But just days before their big day, Mr Shewan, who had underlying health problems, complained of feeling unwell and was taken to A&E.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) said staff reassured the couple their wedding would still go ahead.
Mr Shewan’s condition worsened, however, and he was transferred to an acute unit, where he suffered a cardiac arrest. He died the following day.
PHSO Rob Behrens said the hospital failed to take appropriate action when Mr Shewan deteriorated and he was left alone in a side room for more than an hour.
When the monitor indicated an ‘immediate deterioration’, staff failed to call for an emergency clinician.
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The ombudsman said an emergency doctor was only called after 25 minutes but ‘they were too junior and did not respond’.
Ms Richards was not contacted in time to say goodbye to her partner, he added.
The 80-year-old said: ‘I feel very sad and very angry about it. It’s been three years and I still can’t stop crying.
‘He died in pain and on his own. It’s so sad. I didn’t get to say goodbye to him because I thought he would be coming home.
‘We used to say to each other “Aren’t we a lovely little family, you, me and Lily?” – our lovely dog. Now, I sit here, and I think “I’ve lost Andy.”
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‘His death was avoidable; he could’ve still been here. I could have had him for another week, or it could’ve been a month or years. They’ve taken such a lot from me that no-one can give me back.’
She added: ‘Andy was so caring and gentle. He was the loveliest person you could meet and would help everyone.
‘People used to say to me “Aren’t you lucky to have him?”, and I’d say “Yes”; then he would say that he was lucky to have me.
‘I live near the cemetery where Andy is, and I still talk to him. I tell him that I wish he was here and that I miss him so much. This has taken his life and ruined mine.’
Mr Berens said: ‘This is a truly heartbreaking case. Multiple failings to provide the right level of care led to the death of a man just days away from the happiest day of his life. The distress this caused June, his fiancee, has been profound.’
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The ombudsman made a series of recommendations to Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, including to produce an action plan to ensure the various failings identified will not happen again.
The Trust has also been ordered to pay Ms Richards £10,000 and write to her ‘to acknowledge and apologise for failing to prevent Andy’s death’.
Whipps Cross Hospital chief executive Ralph Coulbeck said: ‘We are deeply sorry for the serious failings in the care provided to Mr Andrew Shewan and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.
‘We apologised unreservedly to Ms June Richards, paid the full compensation recommended by the ombudsman, and took steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again.’
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Andy Shewan’s death was found to be ‘avoidable’ by an ombudsman.
