Patient fell to his death from bed in hospital
Family asked for safety rail
AN inquiry has been launched into how a vulnerable patient died after falling out of a hospital bed hours after he was admitted with an infection.
The family of former policeman Alan Rennie claim a request to put a protective rail around his bed was ignored by staff.
Mr Rennie, who had been living with a brain tumour for seven years, was taken to Wishaw General Hospital, Lanarkshire, after developing a fever caused by a urine infection.
Yesterday, hospital bosses confirmed an investigation is under way into the 54-year-old’s death.
Mr Rennie’s widow Marian, 55, said: ‘We’d nursed Alan through seven years of cancer. Wishaw Gen- eral had him for a few hours – and then he was dead. We just don’t understand how that can have happened. We asked the nurses to make sure they put a rail around the bed, which is what he had at home.
‘We need to know exactly what went on so this never happens again. No family should have to go through this pain and distress.’
Father- of-two Mr Rennie was taken to Wishaw General at 9.30am on February 16.
His widow said: ‘Alan was left on a trolley in A&E for over nine hours, becoming more delirious as the day went on. I asked every doctor and nurse who passed by for help. They all said Alan was disorientated because the urine infection had caused a fever and assured us antibiotics would eventually work.’
Having gone home, Mrs Rennie said the hospital called just after midnight to say her husband had fallen out of bed: ‘The nurse said he was fine. Three hours later we got another call to say the fall had
‘We need to know what went on’
caused a bleed to Alan’s brain.’
The family went to the hospital and were met by NHS Lanarkshire officials, including Wishaw General director of services Marion Mark.
Mrs Rennie said: ‘We were told Alan was dying and there was nothing more they could do for him. We were advised to spend the last precious moments with Alan.’
She added: ‘Hospital officials said a rail should have been put on the bed and promised there would be a full investigation. They insisted the whole system had failed us and we shouldn’t blame individuals.’
Mrs Mark said: ‘I appreciate this has been a very traumatic time and I’d like to offer my condolences to the family. A significant clinical review is under way and we will keep the family apprised throughout.’
The family’s lawyer Cameron Fyfe said: ‘Alan’s life could so easily have been saved by the simple precaution of putting up a bed rail. For the family’s sake, I hope the health board keep their word and don’t drag this case out.’