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Terminally Ill Mom Suffers 25-Hour Pain Relief Delay
18 Mar
Summary
- Mother experienced a 25-hour delay for essential pain medication.
- Doctors identified a massive intestinal blockage requiring attention.
- Hospital acknowledged concerns and apologized for the patient's experience.
A family has expressed deep distress following a significant delay in pain relief for a terminally ill patient at Royal Stoke University Hospital. Linda Lockett, who was receiving palliative care for interstitial lung disease, was admitted on February 7 due to a sudden worsening of her condition.
Upon admission, doctors discovered a "massive" intestinal blockage nearly double the size of her intestine. Despite the severity and Mrs. Lockett's extreme pain, she reportedly waited approximately 25 hours before receiving appropriate pain medication, having only been given paracetamol initially.
Her son, Sean, has lodged a formal complaint, citing a lack of clear communication and insufficient care during this critical period. He noted that while general nursing care was excellent, the prescription delay eroded the patient's trust.
Royal Stoke University Hospital has issued an apology regarding Mrs. Lockett's experience. Chief Nurse Ann-Marie Riley stated the hospital takes concerns seriously and is actively investigating the complaint with the family.
