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Man dies after two-day A&E corridor wait
6 Mar
Summary
- Patient died after waiting nearly two days in an A&E corridor.
- Family alleges delayed diagnosis of deadly brain infection encephalitis.
- The case highlights critical bed shortages in emergency departments.
A man's life was tragically cut short due to complications from encephalitis, a severe brain infection, following an agonizing nearly two-day wait in a hospital corridor. Tom Frith, 66, was admitted to Leighton Hospital's A&E with flu-like symptoms and confusion on June 14th. His wife reported the department was "overrun," with her husband placed in a corridor where his condition deteriorated.
Despite the patient exhibiting clear symptoms of encephalitis and a suspected stroke, an MRI scan was reportedly unavailable over the weekend. By the time the condition was confirmed the following Friday, significant brain damage had occurred. Mr. Frith was placed in critical care, an induced coma, and on a ventilator, but sadly died on July 27th, 2025.
This harrowing experience has prompted legal action from his family, who aim to raise awareness about encephalitis symptoms and advocate for improved emergency care. Leading doctors have repeatedly voiced concerns over the ongoing crisis in A&E departments, citing record numbers of patients enduring excessively long waits.
