A woman who was told her mother had five to 10 years to live following a diagnosis was devastated when her mother passed away just five days later. Kay Picton, 70, described as a fit and healthy woman who had not undergone surgery in 50 years, underwent a routine procedure to treat cancer of the bile duct. However, her daughter Dawn Edwards claimed that a lack of care, including inadequate monitoring, pain relief, and oral care, led to her mother’s decline and subsequent death at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Ms Edwards expressed that her complaints to the hospital about her mother’s care were ignored, prompting her to escalate the issue to the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales. However, crucial documents related to her mother’s care were reported as lost by the hospital, hindering a thorough investigation. The ombudsman’s report highlighted deficiencies in the hospital’s record-keeping and patient care practices.
According to Ms Edwards, her mother’s deteriorating condition following the procedure, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), was overlooked, leading to severe complications. Despite the hospital attributing the issues to pancreatitis, Ms Edwards insisted that her mother likely developed sepsis, which went undiagnosed. The ombudsman upheld complaints regarding the loss of crucial paperwork, inadequate post-procedure care, and substandard pain assessment.
Additionally, Ms Edwards expressed concerns about consent procedures, alleging that her mother was not in a fit state to make decisions due to her health condition. The consultant’s decision to place a do-not-resuscitate order without family consultation added to the distress. The ombudsman directed the health board to apologise to the family and improve record-keeping and patient care protocols.
Recognising the lapses in care, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board offered sincere apologies to Ms Picton’s family and vowed to enhance their processes to prevent similar incidents. Ms Edwards reiterated that her mother deserved better care and a more dignified end, pointing out missed opportunities in her treatment. The tragic experience has left Ms Edwards grappling with PTSD and seeking closure for her mother’s untimely passing.