A LONG-SERVING healthcare worker has accused hospital staff of repeated neglect after she says her elderly dad contracted sepsis five times in as many months.

Paul Masters, 71, from Colchester, was admitted into Colchester Hospital in April for a course of intravenous antibiotics after being diagnosed with an infection.

During his stay he fractured his hip after suffering a fall which his daughter Fiona Charles says occurred as a result of a failur to make the relevant risk assessments.

Prior to the diagnosis and surgery, which occurred 48-hours after his tumble, Paul was also allegedly made to walk despite being in excruciating pain.

Gazette:

Following his operation, Fiona, 47, says her beloved father contracted pneumonia and sepsis, which he has since had to battle on a further four occasions.

“He has been in and out of hospital and only been home for approximately four weeks since April,” said Fiona, who has worked in healthcare for more than 30 years.

“He was again discharged home last week but with a chest infection still present which then meant he was readmitted less than 72 hours later.

“We fought with the hospital as they were going to discharge him 24 hours after admission, but we insisted on more tests as he was practically unconscious.

“48 hours later the tests confirmed he had severe sepsis again.”

According to Fiona, while in the hospital’s A&E department her dad was left without pressure relieving equipment despite being told his needs would be accommodated.

As a result, he has now reportedly been left with 16 pressure-related injuries on his sacrum, which is connected to the pelvis, and down the entire left-side of his body.

Fiona, who is a nurse manager, added: “We have had a catalogue of neglect and poor treatment and we are desperate to raise awareness of what is happening.

"My 70-year-old mother has spent the last five weeks sitting with him from 10am until 6pm just to ensure he eats and drinks.

“I am shocked and disgusted with the way the systems are failing.

“There is hardly any staff on the wards my dad has been on. There remain a handful of angels who do the job because they care, but they are not enough.”

Gazette:

Dr Angela Tillett is the chief medical officer at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Colchester Hospital.

She said: “We are sorry to hear about the concerns Mrs Charles has about her father’s care.

“We have received contact from Mrs Charles and have shared our patient advice and liaison service team details with her so we can discuss these concerns directly.

“We are very keen to listen and to support her and her father further.”