Fylde dad 'neglected' by hospital during final days

Paul Wilkinson, 45, died of multiple organ failure and sepsis at the hospital on May 31 2017, five days after being admitted to A&E with severe abdominal pain.

At his inquest at Blackpool Town Hall, coroner Claire Doherty heard from independent medical experts that a simple course of antibiotics may have saved his life - but the drugs were not administered until the afternoon of May 29, more than three days after he was brought in.

The hospital accepted that opportunities had been missed during the course of Mr Wilkinson's stay.

Handing down a conclusion of death by natural causes with neglect, Ms Doherty said: "If he had been treated earlier, Paul Wilkinson would not have died when he did.

"It is my intention to write to the hospital stating the concerns that have arisen relating to the consultant cover at the hospital."

Professor Mark O’Donnell, medical director at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On behalf of the Trust I would like to offer my sincere apologies to Mr Wilkinson’s family.

“We are deeply sorry that the care we provided failed him and his family.

“Following this tragic incident in May 2017 we immediately commenced a careful and detailed internal investigation and shared the findings of that investigation with Mr Wilkinson’s family and with HM Coroner.

“We have implemented a number of actions as a result of the investigation into Mr Wilkinson’s death. As a consequence of these actions and work we were already undertaking we have seen significant improvements in the care of patients treated for sepsis in the Trust."

See tomorrow's Gazette for full report