Mum-of-two died of appendicitis after hospital failed to spot signs

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

A 35-year-old mother-of-two died from appendicitis after receiving “appalling care” at Croydon University Hospital.

The health trust that runs the hospital has been forced to pay a six-figure sum to her parents.

According to a law firm, the hospital missed signs of appendicitis when the anonymous woman, named only as Sarah, was admitted.

She died around a week later after travelling to Jamaica for a holiday.

Her children were just eight and 12-years-old at the time of her death.

They are now cared for by their grandparents, who brought a case of clinical negligence against the hospital.

Sarah was sent to the London Road hospital by her GP after having stomach pain, diarrhoea and vomiting.

They thought it could be appendicitis or a urinary tract infection. On arrival at the hospital she was sent to accident and emergency for further investigation.

There she was diagnosed with having inflammation of the colon and put on antibiotics. Signs of infection and appendicitis were missed.

After a few days she was discharged, despite blood tests showing she had a high white blood cell count, a sign of an infection.

A follow-up appointment and colonoscopy was arranged for four weeks later to investigate the issue.

Despite still having stomach pain, Sarah was due to go to Jamaica on holiday and had been signed off as fit to fly by her GP.

But on the flight, the pain got worse and she was rushed straight to a private clinic on arrival.

Hours later she was transferred to a local hospital where it was discovered her appendix had ruptured and she had developed severe septicaemia.

Although doctors started emergency surgery to remove the appendix, she sadly died.

A spokeswoman from Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said: “We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the patient and offer our sincere apologies that our care did not meet the highest standards that we expect.

“The early diagnosis of appendicitis can be difficult due to overlapping or missing symptoms, however the trust has accepted full responsibility and has already taken immediate steps to prevent this from happening again.

“This includes increased review of radiology reports in and out of hours, and the introduction of an acute surgical review clinic where patients who have left our care can be monitored and assessed to ensure they are recovering.”

Pictured top: Croydon University Hospital (Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Bob Walker)