A MAN died from cardiac-related issues at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd after “missed opportunities” for staff to provide him with “timely care and treatment”. Eric Thompson died at the Bodelwyddan hospital at the age of 81 on December 28, 2022. Following a full inquest into his death, held at County Hall, Ruthin on June 14, coroner Kate Robertson has issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
Ms Robertson, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, recorded a narrative conclusion at the inquest. On December 27, 2022, Mr Thompson presented at Glan Clwyd with “confusion” and “poor mobility”, having previously been treated for a urinary tract infection. But after blood tests revealed later that day that he had high levels of potassium (hyperkalaemia), there was initially no answer when the hospital’s emergency department was contacted by the laboratory where the bloods were taken.
The results were eventually relayed to the department about an hour later, but were not documented or escalated. Later that evening, while Mr Thompson remained in the emergency department, a clinician noted he had a high NEWS (National Early Warning Score) of seven. Ultimately, though, he did not receive treatment for hyperkalaemia, and died shortly after going into cardiac arrest at 2.
50am on December 28. Both hyperkalaemia and diabetes mellitus were deemed to be contributory factors in Mr Thompson’s death. The inquest into his death heard.
