Clinical negligence news
29/01/2010

Disabled man died after renal failure misdiagnosis

A family is planning to take legal action for clinical negligence against a Liverpool hospital which admitted a series of failings in the treatment of a disabled pensioner, including misdiagnosis of his kidney failure.

A year after the 78-year-old man died, his family was told of a report by Aintree University Hospital Trust which revealed serious failings in his care.

The trust's acting clinical manager told the victim's son that a serious incident review had been held into his father's death and she apologised, on behalf of the trust, for its failings. An action plan had been put in place to prevent the risk of a recurrence.

The incidents which affected the treatment of the wheelchair-bound man, who was also deaf, were listed as:

• His fatal kidney condition was allowed to dangerously deteriorate and was undetected until too late;
• Basic fluid tests, which could have saved his life, were not given;
• Blood tests were not received for ten days or acted upon;
• Staff communication was not satisfactory;
• Medical notes were poorly documented;
• There was a lack of ‘holistic care'

The family is now expected to take legal advice on pursuing a clinical negligence compensation claim case against the hospital trust.