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Family’s ‘awfully long wait’ for answers as Preston woman dies after being discharged from hospital
A family are searching for answers after a much-loved woman died after being discharged from hospital.
Barbara Osbaldeston was found dead at her home in Lea, near Preston, on November 9 last year. The 64-year-old, who was born in Southport had recently been discharged from the Royal Preston Hospital with trust bosses having launched an investigation after concerns were raised by Barbara’s family.
At a pre-inquest review held on Tuesday (May 30) at Preston Coroner’s Court Area Coroner Kate Bisset spoke to Barbara’s family via video link in which she vowed that they would get the answers they had spent “an awfully long time” searching for. The final inquest will aim to ascertain which organisation was responsible for Barbara’s care after being discharged from hospital.
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An inquest into Barbara’s death had been due to take place today but has been adjourned after Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Preston Hospital, revealed just days ago that a rapid review investigation had been launched after clinicians raised concerns.
Miss Bisset told Barbara’s family she intended to ensure the circumstances of her death don’t “happen again” and added: “Can I apologise that we are not able to complete this inquest today; I appreciate you have been waiting an awfully long time for answers. Barbara passed away some time ago and now we have been told there is now an investigation under way.”
Cheryl Rowbotham, representing the hospital trust, said: “As my clients were preparing for the inquest and met with the witnesses there were some issues that were raised that the trust felt it would be appropriate to investigate further.”
Today’s hearing was told the investigation would look at the hospital’s discharge procedures, the monitoring of electrolyte levels and the balance between patients being cared for in the community or in hospital. Evidence to be heard during the final inquest, expected to take place in around two months, will include a statement from the hospital’s nutrition team as well as a GP from the Park Medical Practice in Ashton-on-Ribble.
The coroner said to Barbara’s family before adjourning the hearing: “I know it must be incredibly frustrating because you raised your concerns an awfully long time ago. [But] there is no point doing this procedure if we don’t have all the evidence available and it seems like your concerns are being taken seriously.”
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