AN ELDERLY man with swallowing difficulties choked to death on jelly after hospital staff ignored a fatal warning.
Edward Cassin, described as a “ray of sunshine”, was diagnosed with dysphagia – swallowing problems – and type 2 diabetes.
Family HandoutEdward Cassin, 67, died after being wrongly fed jelly by hospital staff[/caption]
Dysphagia suffers are not to be fed jelly because it turns to liquid in the mouth, which can go into the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia.
But, an inquest heard the 67-year-old was given the fatal food during a stay at Milton Keynes University Hospital in June 2023.
Milton Keynes Coroners Court heard Edward, who had learning difficulties and brain damage since birth, died four days later on June 28.
He had been waiting to start his journey at a new care home when he died.
Assistant Coroner Sean Cummings concluded his medical cause of death as aspiration pneumonia, chronic dysphagia and type 2 diabetes.
He recorded Edward’s death was contributed to by neglect and if he had been treated for the developing aspiration pneumonia he would likely not have died when he did.
Mr Cummings told the inquest the pensioner’s diabetes had been difficult to manage.
On June 24 he had a hypoglycaemic episode and was admitted to Milton Keynes University Hospital but guidelines were not followed.
Because of Edward’s dysphagia he was on a specialist diet and required supervision when eating because of his choking risk.
Despite this, the 67-year-old was fed jelly several times during his stay, which was noted down as a food he was not allowed.
He was also not properly supervised and he aspirated.
A spokesperson for Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are profoundly sorry for the failings in Mr Cassin’s care. We fully acknowledge the deep distress experienced by Mr Cassin’s family and would seek to assure them that we have taken careful steps to understand what happened, including commissioning an independent external review.
“We will respond to His Majesty’s Coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths notice in full.”
It is now expected the coroner will issue a formal Prevention of Future Deaths notice to the hospital and NHS chiefs.
Caron Heyes, a director at Fieldfisher representing Mr Cassin’s family, said: “We were shocked that eight years after Public Health England issued clear guidelines about the dangers of feeding inpatients with dysphagia and learning disability, they are still not recognised in a major hospital.”
Edward’s family said in a statement to the Milton Keynes Citizen: “We welcome and applaud the verdict from HMAC and feel vindicated at as a family regarding the poor and appalling treatment our brother received which led to his death, Eddie was the most vulnerable in our society, one where we placed our faith and trust in MKUH to provide basic care which did not happen as proven in the inquest.
“Whilst Eddie had severe learning disabilities, he was also the beacon that shone through our family, he was adored and loved by so many due to his vivacious and kind nature, Eddie loved nothing more than a party with his family and being sociable.
“It was so difficult not be feel happy and even elated when he was around and he truly touched the lives of many.
“We now have to move forward with a gaping hole in our hearts since Eddie has gone, one which could have been prevented.”
Family HandoutEdwards family paid a moving tribute to him[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
