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Hospital admits fault after sudden withdrawal of drugs leads to Yarmouth woman's death |
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20 September 2007 |
A Great Yarmouth mother died in hospital after doctors suddenly withdrew the drugs on which she was dependent.
Heather Thompson (50) had been suffering from problems related to her mental health, brought on it was thought by the menopause.
A Great Yarmouth mother died in hospital after doctors suddenly withdrew the drugs on which she was dependent.
Heather Thompson (50) had been suffering from problems related to her mental health, brought on it was thought by the menopause. She was depressed and took a number of antidepressant medications.
It was agreed that Mrs Thompson would be admitted to the Northgate hospital in Great Yarmouth for a two week respite period and doctors saw this as an opportunity to give her a 'drugs holiday'. She was admitted to the hospital on 5th July 2004.
The intention had been for a gradual reduction in Mrs Thompson's medication, but in fact her drugs were stopped immediately despite concerns raised by her family. She collapsed in her room on 11th July and was transferred to the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston. Initially it was thought she had fallen, and then it was thought she was suffering from a urinary tract infection.
However, her illness was finally diagnosed as neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a neurological disorder usually associated with antidepressant drugs which produces dangerous toxins affecting the blood and kidneys. Mrs Thompson was transferred to the Norfolk & Norwich hospital where she suffered fits and was diagnosed as having a brain haemorrhage.
Doctors explained to Mrs Thompson's family that the stroke had been so serious that she would not recover. After long consideration it was agreed to turn off her ventilator and she died on 27th July 2004.
The family made a formal complaint and the internal hospital investigation concluded that instead of a gradual reduction of the medication it had been stopped immediately. This probably caused the symptoms which killed her. The investigation also concluded that medical records for her period in Northgate were 'scant' and that the decision to give Heather a 'drugs holiday' was inappropriate since there was a lack of supervision and monitoring.
The family instructed Kester Cunningham John and after an initial investigation and a letter of claim the trust admitted negligence. The legal case has been managed by Sarah Coles, a specialist in clinical negligence.
'Quite simply, Heather's death shouldn't have happened,' she says. 'If she had received appropriate care and treatment by the staff at the Northgate hospital, she would still be alive today and her daughter would still have her mother.
'This was the sort of thing that is easily avoided by a bit of thought. It is one of the most shocking cases of negligence that I have had to deal with. Her family have been left devastated.
'A settlement has now been reached in principle but, because the claimant is Mrs Thompson's child and she is a minor, it has to be approved by the court.
Proceedings have been issued and we hope a hearing will in due course give the court's approval of that settlement. Until that time, details of the settlement are not available.'
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