Mum's dying wish ignored by Royal Preston Hospital claims son

The Royal Preston Hospital where Jean Robinson passed away after a long illness

Joe Robinson claimed mum Jean had no relatives with her when she passed away at the Royal Preston Hospital following a lengthy illness.

“She wanted to die at home and they had enough time to bring her back to be with us,” said Mr Robinson of Sulby Drive, Ribbleton.

“Not only that, they didn’t even give us a ring so we could get to the hospital to be with her. She died at half past three in the morning and my sister didn’t get a call until half past five. We are all very upset thinking mum didn’t get her last wish.”

Mrs Robinson, 72, suffered from severe breathing difficulties due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and had been ill for a number of years. Son Joe said she had been discharged twice from RPH in recent weeks, only to be re-admitted straight away. “The first time it was just 35 minutes between coming home and going back in. We couldn’t believe the hospital thought she was well enough to come home on both occasions when she clearly wasn’t. It was almost as if they needed the bed.

“The last time she was taken in they kept her in. Yet, when she started to deteriorate on the night she died, they didn’t call us until it was too late.

“I understand they also tried to revive her even though she had said she didn’t want resuscitating. I’m upset because I think she deserved better.”

Karen Partington, chief executive at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Firstly we wish to offer our sincere condolences to Jean’s family at this difficult time.

“Our priority is to provide excellent care with compassion for all of our patients; we regret any distress that has been caused and we will continue to work closely with Jean’s family to resolve any issues.

“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term respiratory condition that gradually gets worse over time and patients can deteriorate very suddenly.

“The majority of COPD patients wish to spend as much time as possible at home rather than in hospital and we do everything we can to try to accommodate those wishes.”