A 102 year old woman has been awarded compensation for a premature hospital discharge after she was sent home from a hospital accident and emergency department despite having sustained a broken pelvis.
Lydia Eaton from Wigmore in Kent was taken to the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham in March 2007 after experiencing a fall near her home which resulted in a broken pelvis. Medics at the hospital examined Lydia and discharged her after just eight hours, due to which – it was claimed in London´s High Court – Lydia´s condition deteriorated both physically and mentally and caused her to be moved to a specialist care home the following month.
Lydia´s daughter, Elaine Griffin, brought a claim for premature hospital discharge compensation against the Medway NHS Trust, alleging that her mother was only provided with painkillers which made her ill and lose a considerable amount of weight. Elaine also claimed that, as Lydia´s condition deteriorated, she developed sores and ulcers, and neither support nor advice was forthcoming from the hospital on how to deal with the situation.
Judge Sweeney at the High Court heard that, as Lydia lost the ability to walk independently, she was moved to a second care home where she receives constant help and supervision. He agreed with the arguments put forward by lawyers representing Lydia and Elaine that, had it not been for the negligence of medical practitioners at the Medway Maritime Hospital, Lydia would still be able to walk.
Awarding Lydia 35,000 pounds in compensation for premature hospital discharge, Judge Sweeney ordered that the funds be placed in trust to pay for Lydia´s care.