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Sickle Cell Patient Died Unheard, Inquest Finds
17 Mar
Summary
- Patient was not listened to, husband stated.
- Inquest found significant lapse in care and gross failings.
- Death could have been prevented with blood transfusion.
A 47-year-old woman with sickle cell anaemia died in August 2024 at Frimley Park Hospital, with her husband reporting she was not heard throughout her stay. The inquest into her death uncovered "gross failings" and a "significant lapse in care."
Assistant coroner Dr Karen Henderson noted a lack of "clinical curiosity" by staff. Her husband described Irene King Arthur as an "expert patient" who understood her condition but felt dismissed and unheard.
It was revealed at Woking Coroner's Court that her death could have been avoided with an urgent blood transfusion. Her haemoglobin levels had fallen to half their normal range during her four-day hospital stay.
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust has apologized for the shortcomings and stated they have implemented improvements. The case highlights wider concerns for the sickle cell community, who often report feeling overlooked within the healthcare system.
