Hospital moves denied pensioner continuity of care

WOMAN MOVED BETWEEN HOSPITALS SEVEN TIMES LATER DIED, INQUEST TOLD

-  OLIVIER VERGNAULT

A WOMAN who was moved between hospitals seven times in three months did not receive the continuity of care she deserved, a coroner's report has said.

Norma Ann Patricia Tellam ended up being moved between Royal Cornwall Hospital, in Truro, Liskeard Community Hospital and Derriford Hospital, in Plymouth, seven times prior to her death on April 16, 2023.

Mrs Tellam had initially been sent to RCH-known as Treliske on January 23, when she broke a leg in a fall near her home. The 80-year-old was operated on and a nail and metal work were used to fuse her broken bones.

On February 1, 2023, Mrs Tellam was transferred to Liskeard Community Hospital for further rehabilitation.

An inquest into her death heard that, when staff in Liskeard became concerned her hip might have become infected, they transferred her to Derriford Hospital rather than back to Treliske.

Mrs Tellam then returned to Liskeard Community Hospital on February 5, after an infection was discounted.

However, five days later, Mrs Tellam was sent to Derriford again with another suspected infection.