An 80-year-old woman who died after suffering a stroke received “suboptimal” care at the mental health unit where she was being treated, a coroner has concluded.
Janet Saxon was admitted to Towle Fan Ward in Ysbity Glanclod in Denbighshire. It was closed five months ago amid allegations of mistreatment of patients. In 2013
Coroner David Lewis said at Ruthen’s inquest on Wednesday that it was unclear whether the standard of care played a role in her death.
Betsy Cadwalader Health Board has been contacted for comment.
Mrs Saxon, from Prestatton, Denbighshire, was referred to hospital with depression and anxiety in early July 2013 and was found on the ward on July 15 after suffering a stroke.
He was transferred to intensive care where he died.
He had several underlying conditions, including diabetes, which increased his risk of stroke.
Mr Lewis said it was no surprise that the standard of record keeping was unsatisfactory.
“An incomplete picture was available to the court and experts could not say how his condition changed between admission and stroke,” he said.
Recording a narrative conclusion, Mr Lewis said the standard of care and his record, “fell below what was considered acceptable, but it is not clear to me that the departure from the standards made a difference. [the] result”
“Janet Saxon died as a result of a stroke while on the taweel fan ward,” he said.
“The evidence revealed the most care and treatment, but it did not show whether it affected the outcome.”
Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Saxon’s daughter, Tina Cox, said she and her family were “devastated”.
“I know there was a lack of care, but nothing was done about it,” she said.
“I was hoping to close today, but I don’t think it ever will.
“We have always said that there is a need for a public inquiry, because it has been a big scandal.
“I think it will come out eventually.”