Wexford General Hospital has expressed its apologies to the family of an elderly woman who passed away there earlier this year, acknowledging that the care provided did not meet the hospital’s usual standards.
The apology follows an internal review prompted by family complaints that repeated requests for compassionate visits were denied and that the hospital incorrectly recorded that a relative was present at her death, reports RTE.
The family raised concerns regarding the quality of her care, her medical deterioration, and restrictions on visiting a critically ill patient.
They felt there was a serious lack of transparency and that they were not fully informed about the severity of her condition, reports RTE.
Patient A, in her 80s, was admitted in December last year and died in January this year at Wexford General Hospital.
The investigation report, seen by RTÉ News, stated that if nursing staff had observed signs of deterioration, the family would have been notified and allowed to visit, reports RTE.
It added that hospital policy permits family visits for patients at end of life and that visit durations should be as flexible as possible.
The report noted that greater sensitivity and clearer communication were needed when setting and explaining visiting restrictions, reports RTE.
It also highlighted that medical records should have clearly reflected that no next of kin was present at the time of death.
Patient A had a Do Not Resuscitate order in place, and the report noted that her death was unexpected, reports RTE.
The hospital stated it was “very sorry for the upset caused” to the patient and her family and apologised for moving her during her stay.
It added that patient transfers were influenced by outbreaks of influenza, COVID-19, and infectious gastroenteritis, reports RTE.
The hospital acknowledged that such moves can be upsetting and distressing for both patients and their families.
It explained that due to current infrastructure limitations and the shortage of single rooms, some patient transfers are unavoidable, reports RTE.
Wexford General confirmed that the complaint was upheld and said nurse management will review the lessons learned with ward staff, and the complaint will be anonymised for end-of-life training.
The hospital also said it is committed to improving communication with patients and families and is participating in the HSE healthcare communication programme, reports RTE.
Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane emphasised that hospitals need to be more mindful of families’ needs when caring for elderly patients.
He noted that while the complaint was upheld, this does not remove responsibility for managerial, procedural, or political shortcomings that led to incorrect recording of family presence and the denial of visitation rights, reports RTE.
Deputy Cullinane described the denial of compassionate visitation rights and the inaccurate recording of a family witness as “extremely serious.”
He added that the pandemic highlighted the necessity for stronger visitation rights and family supports, reports RTE.
Deputy Cullinane said Sinn Féin has been advocating for care partner legislation similar to that in Northern Ireland.
He also noted that the Minister for Health recently introduced a Statutory Instrument on the issue, but it remains unclear whether it is sufficiently robust, reports RTE.
Majella Beattie, chairperson of Care Champions, said the internal review highlighted the issue of blanket policies that do not accommodate the needs of individuals, particularly those with dementia, disabilities, or cognitive impairments.
She said the consequences are devastating for those who die alone without family and for families left to cope with lifelong trauma, reports RTE.
Beattie added that while such policies became common during the pandemic, they have continued since, and she is aware of multiple similar cases.
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