 Mrs Balmbra died at Wansbeck Hospital (picture, The Journal) |
An inquiry into the care of an elderly woman who died at a Northumberland hospital, has confirmed she was not initially seen by a doctor. Diabetic Matilda Balmbra, 77, died three days after being taken to Alnwick Infirmary and immediately transferred to Wansbeck General - 30 miles away.
Her family claimed she did not receive appropriate treatment at Alnwick.
But an internal NHS inquiry, while admitting "lessons had to be learned", concluded all parties acted properly.
The case has highlighted the provision of out-of-hours GP cover in Northumberland.
Berwick Lib-Dem MP Alan Beith, a long-time critic of out-of-hours cover, has secured an adjournment debate in the House of Commons next week on the issue.
Mrs Balmbra died three days after arriving at hospital from a heart-related condition.
Her niece, Alnwick councillor Elisabeth Haddow, has also criticised out-of-hours cover in Northumberland. She has yet to respond the inquiry report by Northumberland Healthcare NHS Trust.
The report says: "The main recommendations of the investigation call for greater clarity around guidelines and protocols about medical care available at community hospitals.
"The investigation advises that a focus group be set up, including patients, to look at the issues raised around the care of Matilda Balmbra.
"It is recognised that all the organisations involved have lessons to learn from the outcome of this investigation."
Northern Doctors Urgent Care, which has more than 300 GPs who provide out-of-hours cover in the north-east of England, said the inquiry had exonerated its staff.
Chief Executive Eric Peacock said he expected to retain out-of-hours contracts when they came up for renewal in April.
Nursing staff
Trust director Mike Guy said: "The patient was turned round within three minutes at Alnwick Infirmary.
"The assessment was made by the nursing staff, based on the findings of the ambulance paramedics and the patient transferred appropriately to Wansbeck.
"The patient was certainly not seen by the doctor, but having said that, there was nothing that doctor could have done which would have affected her outcome.
"Alnwick Infirmary could not have provided her with any treatment at that time."
But Mr Beith said: "Mrs Balmbra was not given the dignity to which she was entitled.
"We need a rethink of out-of-hours care in Northumberland before more people die."
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Alnwick Infirmary could not have provided her with any treatment at that time 
