Woman, 51, had numerous severe health problems
A 51-YEAR-OLD smoker died from a lung condition after years of problems dating back to when she was teenager, an inquest has heard.
Elaine Ostins, of Tatenhill Lane, Branston, died at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital on December 23, 2019.
She had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which caused breathing difficulties, and a host of other health problems.
Her final trip to hospital was due to a concern over her consciousness, suggesting she could have taken an overdose of her sleeping tablets used for her insomnia.
However, Mrs Ostins’ family questioned whether she had overdosed as she had reduced her tablet dosage, an inquest heard.
The inquest into her death was heard virtually by South Staffordshire Coroner Andrew Haigh.
He read out a statement from her GP at Branston primary care centre, which said: “She suffered with depression for many years and last year was suffering with worsening respiratory problems and chronic back pains.
“She was alcohol dependent and a heavy smoker.
“She had depression from 1989, chronic back pain caused by a fall downstairs from 1995, she was alcohol dependent since 2014, had asthma from 2004, and COPD from 2014.
“She had a long history with depression and had multiple episodes of self harm.
“She also had insomnia and she made many appointments requesting help.
“It was quite difficult to persuade her against using the sleeping tablets and she became dependent.
“She had been drinking excessively since she was 18
“She was getting gradually worsening respiratory problems and used an oxygen mask at one point.
“She was told many times to stop smoking.
“On November 26 I spoke to her and she requested a home visit as she had a lump on her back and we also discussed resuming the home oxygen supply.
“On November 29, I tried to call, but there was no answer, so I went round and was told she had gone to hospital.”
Dr Paul Smith, consultant at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital, gave evidence during the inquest saying she had attended hospital for treatment for a chest infection exacerbated by COPD and was put on antibiotics.
On December 15 it was reported she had “impending renal failure” and was put on the high-dependency unit to enable dialysis.
She improved, but “became agitated and non-compliant”.
She was later discharged to a ward for palliative care as “aggressive care was failing to improve her condition”, Dr Smith said, and she died.
During the inquest, her family questioned if it was an overdose, claiming she had in fact reduced her dose of prescription drugs.
Coroner Andrew Haigh gave a narrative verdict of her death.
He gave her cause of death as COPD, with mobility and frailty exacerbated by prescription drug use.
In his narrative verdict, he said: “She was only 51 years old but she was a lady with severe and numerous health problems.
“She had depression, insomnia, alcohol dependency, chronic back pain, asthma, COPD and worsening respiratory failure.
“She would not stop smoking, despite encouragement .
“On November 29 she was taken to hospital with breathing problems and was discharged on December 9. Prior to discharge she had been given a proper assessment.
“On December 13 an ambulance was called and she was taken to hospital. There was concern about her consciousness, suggesting she may have been taking excess medication.
“She is later moved to a palliative care ward for her own comfort and died on December 23.”
If you need help:
■ Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. You can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org
■ CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline for men who are down and who need to talk or find information and support. They’re open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.
■ Depression Alliance doesn’t have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information at depressionalliance.org
■ The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029 ) helps people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or in crisis. You can call them between 8pm and 6am every night.