Pensioner died after surgery 'too busy'
An elderly woman died just days after a call for a medical appointment – only to be told they were too busy to fit her in, an inquest heard.
Northgate Medical Centre in Aldridge says it has made robust changes to its procedures following Winifred Conlon's death.
Black Country Senior Coroner Zafa Siddique ruled Mrs Conlon died of natural causes and nothing could have been done to prevent the 74-year-old's death.
The inquest heard how Mrs Conlon's husband John was told by the medical centre she could not be seen in the days before she died.
The hearing was told how Mrs Conlon suffered with severe rheumatoid arthritis and had quickly deteriorated after cutting her leg as her husband changed her before then developing an infection.
A nurse attended her home in Stonnall Road to apply dressing to the wound but family members became concerned for Mrs Conlon's health over the next couple of days and wanted her to see a doctor.
However, they were told she could not be seen as the surgery was too busy.
A few days later, Mrs Conlon was admitted to Walsall Manor Hospital where she continued to deteriorate before passing away on October 14.
Mr Conlon told the inquest at Smethwick Council House: "They said they were too busy and couldn't fit us in.
"We asked if there was another nurse available but she sent a message back via reception saying they can't do it."
Dr Arun Singal, from the Northgate Medical Centre, told the hearing changes had now been made to ensure anybody wanting to get an appointment will at least speak to their GP before the end of the same day, even if they can't see them in person.
He said: "I spoke to the staff involved and wanted to establish why things didn't work out this time. Staff were inundated with their workload. On that day there were lots of extra patients. On that particular day there wasn't an appointment available but we should have done more and I accept that."
He added: "We have a facility where patients speak to the GP.
"They ring up, leave a message and the GP will speak to them on the same day. We want to enhance that in the future."
Despite the concerns raised about the surgery, Black Country Senior Coroner Zafar Siddique said he believed nothing could have been done to prevent her death.
Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, he said: "This was a condition she had had before and had always responded, but on this occasion she didn't have the capacity to fight the infection."
