Stafford Hospital death after injection failings

A diabetic patient at scandal-hit Stafford Hospital died after nurses failed to give her insulin injections, an inquest heard.

One of the nurses involved in the tragedy of Hednesford woman Gillian Astbury described it as an "appalling case".

Mrs Astbury, aged 66, of Mavis Road, wasn't given insulin injections to treat her Type 1 diabetes for more than a day.

She fell into a diabetic coma on April 10, 2007, and died the following day.

A post mortem revealed she died of a combination of insulin deficiency and a urinary tract infection. Mrs Astbury was being treated for a minor fall. But a jury inquest held at the County Buildings in Stafford heard that insulin was not administered.

The court heard some nursing staff were not informed that Mrs Astbury was diabetic.

Ronald Street, Mrs Astbury's friend and full time carer, who used to run a care home, told doctors she was an insulin-dependent diabetic when she was admitted for a fractured right arm and pelvis after a fall.

He said her food was often untouched despite him telling staff it was essential to spoon-fed to ensure diabetes was in control.

Nurse Michelle Appleton admitted she knew Mrs Astbury was diabetic but forgot to tell nurses changing shift on April 9.

"I thought everyone was aware she was diabetic so I didn't feel I needed to pass the information on," she said.

Senior staff nurse Trish King said: "It was a collapse in the system. It is an appalling case. There were staff shortages, nurses regularly didn't take a break because they were so up against it. But this was poorly done."

She said she ''shocked'' when she first started at the hospital: ''It was like going back 20 years coming to this ward. Day after day, week after week, month after month, you are going home late because you are trying to do everything you can."

The inquest continues.

By Andy Richardson