Beloved mum dies alone after hospital miscommunication
By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter
A hospital has apologised for a miscommunication that meant three daughters were unable to spend the last moments with their beloved mum.
Sisters, Mandy, Claire and Kay White from Thornton Heath were told by Croydon University Hospital staff that their mum, Catherine White, had a restless night but were reassured she was okay and told to return home.
Half an hour later they received the news their mum had died from respiratory issues related to community acquired pneumonia and passed away at around 8.30am on April 23, at the age of 61.
Middle sister, Claire, said: “What really hurt was that my mum’s biggest fear was to die alone.
“They knew she was critical, and all they did was apologise.”
In an official apology letter to the sisters it said: “There is no documentation that the seriousness of your mother’s condition was communicated to her daughter for which we must apologise as that is not reflective of the kind of compassionate care we expect people within our care to receive.”
Catherine was admitted to hospital the evening before with a bad chest infection, but her severe diabetes and Gitelman’s syndrome made her particularly vulnerable.
She was taken into the hospital by the eldest sister, Mandy, who was told to wait outside for 20 minutes, denying her access to her mother in need.
The hospital said this is standard ward procedure but acknowledged the distress it may have caused.
After being allowed to wait and care for her mum, Mandy was told she could go home around midnight due to Catherine’s stable condition.
She told hospital staff on the resus ward to contact her if her condition changed, but according to Claire, the hospital waited for the family to enquire about her health.
Claire said: “When I rang the reception desk at around 8am they put me through the resus ward 10 minutes later.
“They said yes she’s had a restless night, but she’s okay and they are waiting for another ward space to open up.
“I arrived late to see her because I went to get her a sandwich.
“My sister, Mandy, phoned me as I was at the entrance to the hospital, to let me know my mum had gone.”
The sisters have refused to accept the hospital’s apology and wish to discuss their concerns with staff in person. The hospital refused this request and insisted that all contact must go via email.
Mandy said: “I have to live with leaving my mum to die alone when those doctors and nurses knew my mum wouldn’t survive.
“How many more families are they going to hurt?”
Claire gave an emotional tribute to her late mum, who previously worked at Thornton Heath’s Beulah Junior School.
She said: “My mum was the kindest person.
“She has made us all really strong, powerful women, and we can only thank her for that.”
A spokesman for Croydon University Hospital said: “We would again like to extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Ms White and are very sorry that they feel unhappy with our care.
“Our staff work tirelessly to give compassionate care and involve relatives in treatment decisions especially when caring for someone.”
Pictured top: Catherine White And Her Daughters (Picture: supplied by LDRS)