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NHS rejects death apology demand NHS rejects death apology demand
(about 1 hour later)
Health officials have refused to say sorry in person to the parents of a cancer patient whose death "directly resulted" from the actions of staff.Health officials have refused to say sorry in person to the parents of a cancer patient whose death "directly resulted" from the actions of staff.
The request to Cwm Taf NHS Trust came from the public services ombudsman for Wales, who called its rejection "churlish" and "unreasonable".The request to Cwm Taf NHS Trust came from the public services ombudsman for Wales, who called its rejection "churlish" and "unreasonable".
Two former health trusts were accused of "woeful" treatment of Myron Hall, 47, of Bargoed, Caerphilly county.Two former health trusts were accused of "woeful" treatment of Myron Hall, 47, of Bargoed, Caerphilly county.
The successor trust, Cwm Taf, said it would write to his parents instead. Cwm Taf, the successor trust, said it would write to his parents instead.
Mr Hall's parents also want police to look at possible criminal charges after he bled to death when a breathing tube was wrongly inserted.Mr Hall's parents also want police to look at possible criminal charges after he bled to death when a breathing tube was wrongly inserted.
The ombudsman, Peter Tyndall, said he was concerned about the trust's ability to carry out ear, nose and throat (ENT) cancer treatment unless it made changes.The ombudsman, Peter Tyndall, said he was concerned about the trust's ability to carry out ear, nose and throat (ENT) cancer treatment unless it made changes.
The trust took over the former North Glamorgan and Pontypridd & Rhondda trusts and now manages the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, and Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr.The trust took over the former North Glamorgan and Pontypridd & Rhondda trusts and now manages the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, and Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr.
"I have major concerns about the ability of Cwm Taf trust to deliver ENT cancer services to patients unless significant changes are made," said Mr Tyndall."I have major concerns about the ability of Cwm Taf trust to deliver ENT cancer services to patients unless significant changes are made," said Mr Tyndall.
... both the chair and the chief executive of Cwm Taf trust should provide [Mr Hall's] parents with an unequivocal apology for the failings that occurred... Peter Tyndall, ombudsman... both the chair and the chief executive of Cwm Taf trust should provide [Mr Hall's] parents with an unequivocal apology for the failings that occurred... Peter Tyndall, ombudsman
"I have made a number of recommendations to the trust, which include changes to medical and nursing practices, training and operational procedures.""I have made a number of recommendations to the trust, which include changes to medical and nursing practices, training and operational procedures."
Mr Hall, 47, an electrician, was referred to the former North Glamorgan NHS Trust in September 2006 by his GP because of a suspicious lump in his neck.Mr Hall, 47, an electrician, was referred to the former North Glamorgan NHS Trust in September 2006 by his GP because of a suspicious lump in his neck.
It took three months to diagnose a malignant tumour and doctors decided the best way to treat him was to remove half his tongue.It took three months to diagnose a malignant tumour and doctors decided the best way to treat him was to remove half his tongue.
A tracheostomy tube was put in his windpipe to help him breathe, but surgeons stopped the operation when they found the tumour had spread too far.A tracheostomy tube was put in his windpipe to help him breathe, but surgeons stopped the operation when they found the tumour had spread too far.
Mr Hall, referred to as Mr H in the report, later began bleeding from a replacement tube that was inserted in the wrong place while he waited to be transferred to a specialist cancer centre for chemotherapy.Mr Hall, referred to as Mr H in the report, later began bleeding from a replacement tube that was inserted in the wrong place while he waited to be transferred to a specialist cancer centre for chemotherapy.
The wound was stitched when it was noticed the tube was not in the right place, but four days after returning to the ward Mr Hall suffered a "catastrophic bleed" caused by the tube wearing through the wall of an artery.The wound was stitched when it was noticed the tube was not in the right place, but four days after returning to the ward Mr Hall suffered a "catastrophic bleed" caused by the tube wearing through the wall of an artery.
He died, in February 2007, despite the efforts of staff at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital to resuscitate him.He died, in February 2007, despite the efforts of staff at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital to resuscitate him.
'Extremely sorry''Extremely sorry'
His parents, Denzil and Janet Tilley, of Porthcawl, arrived at the hospital seconds before he died. In the report, Mr Tilley compared the scene at his son's bed to a "horror movie".His parents, Denzil and Janet Tilley, of Porthcawl, arrived at the hospital seconds before he died. In the report, Mr Tilley compared the scene at his son's bed to a "horror movie".
The report said the initial investigation of Mr Hall's tumour was "slow and inadequate" and the nursing he received in relation to his tracheostomy "fell below a standard one could reasonably expect".The report said the initial investigation of Mr Hall's tumour was "slow and inadequate" and the nursing he received in relation to his tracheostomy "fell below a standard one could reasonably expect".
"Whilst no amount of apologising can compensate a parent for the loss of a son in such horrendous circumstances, I have nevertheless recommended that both the chair and the chief executive of Cwm Taf trust should provide Mr H's parents with an unequivocal apology for the failings that occurred during the care of their son," said Mr Tyndall."Whilst no amount of apologising can compensate a parent for the loss of a son in such horrendous circumstances, I have nevertheless recommended that both the chair and the chief executive of Cwm Taf trust should provide Mr H's parents with an unequivocal apology for the failings that occurred during the care of their son," said Mr Tyndall.
He wrote that the trust's refusal of a personal apology was "not sustainable and appears somewhat churlish to refuse to provide [Mr Hall's parent] with an apology in person given that the trust is prepared to issue a letter containing the very same apology".He wrote that the trust's refusal of a personal apology was "not sustainable and appears somewhat churlish to refuse to provide [Mr Hall's parent] with an apology in person given that the trust is prepared to issue a letter containing the very same apology".
Cwm Taf trust told the ombudsman it could not meet his request for an apology in person but would write to Mr Hall's parents - a stance he called "unreasonable". Cwm Taf trust told the ombudsman it could not meet his request for an apology in person but would write to Mr Hall's parents - a stance Mr Tyndall called "unreasonable".
'Failures'
The trust said interim chairman Russell Roberts and chief executive Margaret Foster were "extremely sorry for the failings of the former North Glamorgan and Pontypridd and Rhondda NHS trusts in respect of the care and treatment provided" to Mr Hall.The trust said interim chairman Russell Roberts and chief executive Margaret Foster were "extremely sorry for the failings of the former North Glamorgan and Pontypridd and Rhondda NHS trusts in respect of the care and treatment provided" to Mr Hall.
"Cwm Taf NHS Trust fully accepts the ombudsman's recommendations and is now taking steps to implement the actions identified to ensure that safe and effective ENT cancer services are delivered to patients," said the trust."Cwm Taf NHS Trust fully accepts the ombudsman's recommendations and is now taking steps to implement the actions identified to ensure that safe and effective ENT cancer services are delivered to patients," said the trust.
Mr Hall's solicitor, Astrid Coates, said: "Failures by the trust led to the death of Mr Hall and his family want to know that this will not happen to someone else's son."Mr Hall's solicitor, Astrid Coates, said: "Failures by the trust led to the death of Mr Hall and his family want to know that this will not happen to someone else's son."