The tragic death of 73-year-old Sue Howell has been attributed to significant medical neglect after she was discharged from New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, only to succumb to a fatal pulmonary embolism shortly thereafter. An inquest has revealed that critical test results indicating the presence of a blood clot were overlooked, leading to devastating consequences for her family.
A Life Cut Short
Sue Howell, a resident of Bilston and a beloved mother of four as well as a grandmother of eleven, was initially admitted to hospital on 11 April 2025 after sustaining injuries from a fall at home. Despite her condition, she was sent home the same evening without her test results being reviewed by the medical staff. Just hours later, she collapsed again and was readmitted to the hospital, where she tragically passed away due to a blood clot in her lungs.
During the inquest, it was revealed that a D-Dimer test had been ordered to assess her risk of a clot, and the results had been available for several hours prior to her discharge. The assistant coroner for the Black Country, Helena Gallagher, concluded that Howell’s death was significantly influenced by the neglect in her medical care.
Failures in Communication
The inquest highlighted a concerning lack of communication among the medical team. A doctor admitted that she was unaware of the requested D-Dimer test and that the results were not documented in Howell’s notes. This oversight points to systemic issues within the hospital that ultimately contributed to the tragedy.
Vic Smith, Howell’s daughter, expressed her profound anger at the situation, stating, “The results were there on a computer system, they were there.” Her sister, Liz Howell, echoed her frustrations, saying, “We entrusted Mum to them, and they just let us down, massively.” The family feels the weight of this loss daily, reliving the painful memories of the weekend that changed their lives forever.
Hospital’s Response
In light of the incident, a spokesperson for the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust extended heartfelt condolences to the Howell family and acknowledged the failure to meet the expected standard of care. They indicated that a thorough investigation had been conducted following Mrs Howell’s death, leading to numerous changes aimed at improving patient safety and communication within the hospital’s services.
The trust is committed to learning from this incident to ensure that such oversights do not occur in the future, emphasising their dedication to supporting patients and their families.
Why it Matters
The case of Sue Howell is a heartbreaking reminder of the critical importance of effective communication in healthcare settings. It underscores the need for rigorous protocols to ensure that all medical information is thoroughly reviewed and acted upon, particularly for vulnerable patients. This tragedy not only highlights systemic flaws within medical institutions but also serves as a call to action for improvements in patient care, safeguarding the wellbeing of individuals who place their trust in healthcare professionals.
