THE family of an elderly woman who died hours after she was discharged from hospital say she should not have been allowed to leave in freezing conditions.

Widow Hazel Jarvis was admitted to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, suffering pain from a hernia, with which she had lived for 30 years.

Mrs Jarvis, 80, of Swift Close, Braintree, arrived in hospital at about 7pm on New Year’s Eve where she underwent tests.

Mrs Hughes and her brother, Steven Jarvis arrived just before 10pm after being called to collect her.

She collapsed in the car park and was readmitted to hospital, where she died the next day.

Her family have lodged a formal complaint with the hospital.

Daughter Georgina Hughes, of Hardy Close, Braintree, was shocked at her mum’s condition when she arrived at the hospital “I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“She looked no better than when she left the house and her speech was still slurred.”

A nurse told Mrs Hughes her they could find nothing wrong with her mother, other than that her blood pressure was a little high.

The 48-year-old said: “She was going home to an empty house. She was 80. It was 10pm and it was freezing. She couldn’t even dress herself. She had no energy.”

Mrs Hughes and her brother struggled to put Mrs Jarvis in a car, because she could not pull herself out of the wheelchair.

Mrs Hughes ran back inside the hospital for help when her mum started to pass out and her brother rung 999. Mr Jarvis held his mother’s head as she lay in the car park until paramedics arrived.

Mrs Jarvis, who had eight children, 19 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, was resuscitated and kept in hospital.

It was discovered the hernia had ruptured her bowel and she had previously undiagnosed diabetes. She died on January 1.

Mrs Hughes said: “They should never have discharged her at 10pm at night.”

She said her mother may have been too ill to be saved, but she believed the shock of going out in the freezing cold contributed to her death.

Jo Triggs, spokesman for NHS Mid Essex, said: “The trust would like to send condolences to the family of Mrs Jarvis for their sad loss.

“We we have received a formal complaint from the family and, in line with our complaints policy, their concerns will be fully investigated and a full response provided by February 12.”