Basic failures led to grandmother’s death from dehydration in Birmingham hospital

A grandmother-of-five has sadly died from severe dehydration, after abnormal blood test results warning of an imminent life-threatening condition failed to reach her medical team. The claim was handled by our expert medical negligence solicitor Neelam Yusaf. 

About our client and timeline of events

Georgina Cornwall, 67, died from an acute kidney injury on 19 November 2020 while at the Good Hope Hospital, Sutton Coldfield, following a series of alarming oversights. 

The mother-of-two, a former NHS nurse of Erdington, Birmingham, was admitted to the hospital on 9 November with sudden confusion and distress. There was a change in Georgina’s behaviour for a few weeks.  

Despite showing clear signs of severe agitation, Georgina’s condition deteriorated over 10 days. 

A damning internal report following her death revealed that by the time she collapsed on 19 November, staff had missed critical warning signs of dehydration. 

Georgina’s admission was in respect of her psychiatric needs, and the level of psychiatric involvement was below the expected standard for Georgina’s needs.  

Vital hydration and nutrition charts were either not filled in or inconsistently monitored and abnormal blood test results that demonstrated severe dehydration were never passed on. 
 

A note from our client’s family

Son Luke Murray, 39, said: “My mum was essentially left to die. Keeping patients hydrated is simple. I could’ve kept her hydrated, fed and alive at home. 

“When she was in the hospital, my mum seemed to sense she wouldn’t make it out and that has stayed with me ever since. I couldn’t be there with her when she needed me most because of the COVID-19 restrictions. I still feel guilty over not being able to help or reassure her in those critical moments. 

“Hospitals are supposed to be places of healing, where people get better, but for her, it became a place of separation and loss. My mother spent years of her life working for the NHS as a nurse. She was such a caring person and it breaks my heart knowing she wasn’t afforded the same care back. She deserved to be looked after with dignity, not left to deteriorate in a hospital ward.” 

In a serious incident report, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, admitted staff pressures, Covid-related protocols and staff shortages contributed to lapses in Georgina’s care. 

According to the report, her dehydration was so severe this resulted in acute kidney injury, ultimately leading to her fatal collapse and untimely death. 

A note from Neelam Yusaf

Neelam, who supported Luke and his sister, Michelle Cornwall, throughout their claim, said: “The case is an example in a breakdown of the most basic care standards. 

“A blood test on 18 November – the day before Georgina’s death – suggested a severe degree of dehydration and an imminent threat to life. The laboratory attempted to call the ward, however, they had been given incorrect contact details. There was no further contact made. The doctor and nursing staff were therefore not immediately informed of the abnormal test results. 

“Within 18 hours of these results, Georgina passed away. Had the blood test results reached the medical team sooner, it is very likely they would have intervened sooner. Our findings revealed that Georgina’s dehydration and acute kidney injury could have been averted with proper oversight and response.”