‘No evidence hospital transfer led to her death’

The transfer of a gravely ill patient from Ashford to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital did not contribute to her death, a probe has found.

Hospital officials launched an investigation after a concerned nurse told a health meeting in Faversham last month how staff had debated where best to treat the woman.

She was said to have initially been seen at Ashford’s William Harvey before being ruled “medically stable” and moved to the K&C, where her condition deteriorated.

But bosses at the East Kent Hospitals Trust say the switch between hospitals did not have an impact.

“The trust has investigated the concern raised at a public meeting by a member of staff,” said spokesman Gemma Shillito.

“This case has been reviewed by the acting medical director and divisional head of nursing for urgent and emergency care.

“They have concluded that the transfer did not adversely impact on the patient’s condition, her treatment was appropriate and was not delayed due to her transfer.

“There was no evidence that the transfer contributed to her death or was inappropriate.”

The probe came after emergency patients destined for the K&C started being diverted to the William Harvey following a decision by Health Education England to pull junior doctors from the Canterbury site.