Margaret Ann Waylett · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 4 November 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Margaret Ann Waylett age 78. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 15 December 2023. The conclusion was a narrative conclusion:

Mrs Waylett died as a result of acute cardiac failure following a necessary surgical procedure. Post operative care was not provided in accordance with clear policies and expected standards of practice. Her death was contributed to by neglect.

Mrs Waylett suffered a humerus fracture in early October 2022. She consulted with orthopaedic surgeons and it was decided that surgery would be appropriate to maintain her levels of independence. She underwent surgery on the 13 October 2022 and the orthopaedic outcome was satisfactory. Post-operatively, Mrs Waylett's recovery was complicated by ongoing low blood pressure and intermittent oxygen requirements. From the early hours of 17 October 2022, she required a medical assessment, with medical intervention to address a likely pulmonary oedema and likely urinary tract infection. She did not receive the necessary medical intervention and on the 19 October 2022, she suffered a cardiac arrest on the ward. Resuscitation was provided and she was admitted to the intensive care unit. Sadly, she did not recover and she passed away at Whipps Cross Hospital in the early hours of the 20 October 2022. Had Mrs Waylett received the necessary medical intervention from the 17 October 2022 or even on the morning of the 19 October 2022, it is likely that her death would have been avoided.

(1) The inquest heard that nursing staff requested reviews by the on-call orthopaedic doctors on multiple occasions, without the doctors attending to carry out a review. A junior doctor described the junior orthopaedic staffing levels in the hospital as “dangerous”.
(2) The inquest heard that the NEWS charts were not available on the ward rounds. The consultants did not therefore review the charts and were unaware of the frequently raised NEWS scores. The inquest heard that laptops on the ward were unwieldy and time consuming. There were no iPads or vital packs available for the ward team to easily access the NEWS scores.
(3) The inquest heard that there was confusion between the doctors as to who was responsible for the patient, in light of her dual orthopaedic and medical needs. Orthogeriatricians were aware of Mrs Waylett’s desaturation on 19 October 2022, but appeared to have considered it necessary for them to receive a referral from the orthopaedic team before they could carry out a review.