Hospital sued over allegations of unsatisfactory care

An NHS trust is being accused of providing unsatisfactory care after an elderly woman died in its care.

Florence Stanton was not able to walk or talk due to a stroke she had suffered and was therefore completely reliant on her carers and nurses.

A pressure sore on the 86-year-old's heel was treated by visiting nurses, who bandaged a foam cup over it to relieve the pressure.

However, her health deteriorated and she eventually needed morphine for the pain.

The sore had developed into a severe ulcer.

Ms Stanton died several months later and the ulcer was cited as one of the causes.

Her daughter, Christine, is now suing the Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust - which provides services to around 310,000 people - over alleged clinical negligence.

Commenting on the case, the family's solicitor James Bell, a clinical negligence specialist from Russell Jones & Walker, said: "Florence Stanton's wound had, through a lack of treatment, deteriorated to such an extent the skin had become black. Due to her poor health she was unable to talk and relied upon her nurses."

Meanwhile, the NHS trust declined to comment for legal reasons.

23/07/2008 16:17