TV hospital rapped over facelift death
Anxious Paula fell critically ill after being left alone in room before op
A HOSPITAL from TV’s Celebrity Botched Up Bodies has been rapped over the death of a patient who was left unchecked in a private room.
Great gran Paula Andrews, 76, died after taking anti-anxiety medication ahead of a facelift at London’s exclusive Weymouth Street Hospital.
As husband Brian dropped her off, retired packaging company director Paula waved goodbye and told him: “I’ll call you when I’m done, see you later.”
But it was the last time Brian, 80, would see her conscious.
Paula’s surgery was cancelled after staff wrongly assumed she was drunk and couldn’t consent to the procedure.
In fact she had taken unprescribed benzodiazepines in a bid to calm herself.
She was taken to a room to “sleep off her intoxication” – but not monitored.
Paula suffered respiratory arrest and died three days later after being transferred to University College Hospital.
An inquest raised concerns that no nurses were charged with checking on
her despite the risk of positional asphyxia – which impedes breathing.
Mary Hassell, Senior Coroner for Inner North London, has issued a Preventing Future Deaths notice demanding action to avoid a similar tragedy. The notices are rarely used.
She told hospital bosses: “Detainees in police cells are subject to very clear procedures to reduce risk of positional
asphyxia and drink and drug-related deaths. It seems an omission that there is not a similar regime in a hospital, where one would expect medical care to be of a higher standard.”
Brian, of Bishop’s Stortford, Herts, has hired lawyers to investigate Paula’s death last August.
He said: “We are in disbelief. I WARNING often told Paula how beautiful she looked and did not want her to have this procedure, but it was her decision.
“Paula deserved so much better. She really did have a heart of gold. She was loving and everybody’s favourite person.
“I am pleased the coroner has highlighted the lack of care. It is important this does not happen to anyone else.”
On Channel 5’s Celebrity Botched Up Bodies, surgeons at the private hospital correct sub-standard operations done elsewhere. The clinic has also featured on Channel 4’s Bodyshockers.
Solicitor Katheryn Riggs, from Tees Law – representing Brian – said: “We are grateful for the coroner’s investigation and share her concerns as to the care provided to Paula, and the wider risks to other patients in the future.”
Andrew Barker, chief executive at Weymouth Street Hospital, offered “deepest sympathies”.
He said: “Safety is our priority and we are reviewing the recommendations to ensure standards are continually assessed and improved.”