Woman Given Anaesthetic Overdose During Procedure Performed Against Family’s Wishes
17/02/2011
A leading medical negligence solicitor has called on the NHS to learn lessons after a “simple error” led to the death of an elderly woman during a procedure that her family had asked not to be carried out.
Margaret Morley, 71, from Batley in West Yorkshire, died on 27 November 2008 from a local anaesthetic overdose during a bronchoscopy at Dewsbury & District Hospital.
Doctors carried out the procedure to try and remove a blockage from Mrs Morley’s lung despite requests from her family for the hospital not to perform the procedure so that she would be allowed to die in peace.
Mrs Morley had originally been admitted to hospital just three weeks prior to her death, complaining of a shortness of breath. Tests at the hospital revealed that she was suffering from a collapsed lung.
An initial bronchoscopy was unsuccessful in clearing a blockage from Mrs Morley’s lungs, after which her family informed the hospital that they did not want a second procedure to be carried out, as they were concerned about her frail state and knew that she wished to be able to die with her family around her.
Despite this, without the family’s knowledge, doctors at the hospital performed a second bronchoscopy the following day. During this procedure, Mrs Morley died when she was given a toxic level of the anaesthetic.
An inquest at Bradford Coroner’s Court in February 2011 recorded a verdict of accidental death, with negligence contributed and Ian Murray, a medical negligence specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office, has urged the NHS to learn the lessons from these tragic and “avoidable” errors.
“Mrs Morley was extremely ill and it was clear that she would have died within weeks regardless of the operation,” said Mr Murray. “Her family were keen for her to be allowed to die peacefully with those closest to her around her.
“The hospital ignored those wishes and compounded their mistake by miscalculating the level of the local anaesthetic Mrs Morley could handle, which ultimately led to her dying in theatre.
“Patient wellbeing and safety must be the utmost priority for the NHS at all times, and we welcome the hospital’s decision to conduct its own investigation.
“This was a simple error which could and should easily have been avoided. It is vital that an investigation establishes why the family’s wishes were ignored and why Mrs Morley was given such a high level of the local anaesthetic.
“Lessons must be learnt from these mistakes. We have repeatedly called for improvements in safety standards and will continue to do so until errors like these no longer happen.”
Jackie Hussain, Mrs Morley’s daughter, said: “Our whole family is devastated by the circumstances surrounding my mother’s death.
“As a Catholic it was extremely important for her to have the Last Rites and she wanted to die peacefully with all of the family around her, but because of the hospital’s decision to carry out the second bronchoscopy this opportunity was taken away from her.
“We all knew she was extremely ill and because of this we did not want her to have to go through the pain and stress of a second procedure.
“We are extremely disappointed that this was allowed to go ahead without our permission and are concerned and disappointed about the level of care she received throughout her time at the hospital. We are pleased that the hospital is now carrying out an investigation but feel the very least we deserve is an apology.”
Back to news