Plaster Cast Causes Death of 46 Year Old Man

The family of a 46 year old Carlisle man has welcomed the verdict at the inquest into his death.

HM Coroner Mr. David Roberts returned a narrative verdict at the inquest into the death of Paul Robert Armstrong from Edgehill Road who died in the Cumberland Infirmary on 16th March 2006.

A diabetic, Paul Armstrong was admitted to the Cumberland Infirmary on 3rd January 2006 for a planned amputation of his right big toe. The operation took place successfully on 4th January, but later that day he complained of pain in his right hand following a fall at some point during the day. A fractured thumb was identified and his arm was put into plaster.

Paul had complained to his family that the plaster was too tight and causing pain. Nursing staff reported that his right hand was swollen, but the cast was not changed. On 8th January, Paul removed the plaster himself and discharged himself from hospital.

On 10th January a district nurse visited Paul and expressed concern about the redness and swelling on his hand. As the day progressed, Paul became increasingly confused and disorientated. Late that afternoon, he was driven by his daughter to the emergency doctors Cuedoc who advised that he be taken to hospital. He was re-admitted to the Cumberland Infirmary on 10th January with cellulitis (a skin inflammation caused by bacterial infection).

Paul’s condition continued to deteriorate and he was moved to the intensive care unit and developed septicaemia. On the 29th January, he suffered a cardiac arrest from which he gradually seemed to recover until on 11th March, he became ill with eHe lpneumonia. Five days later, he suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest and finally died in hospital on 16th March.

Returning his verdict, HM Coroner said, “He would not have died but for the consequences that followed from the infection to his hand.”

Paul was divorced with two children, Marion and Lisa and three grandchildren.  He had three sisters and two brothers.

His sister Barbara Robinson was at the inquest. She said “Paul was a great dad to his girls and a good granddad although he never saw his third grandchild. We have always been convinced that he could have carried on for years if he had not gone into the hospital: the plaster on his arm caused his death. We can’t bring Paul back but we did want an acknowledgement that a mistake had been made and an apology.

On behalf of the family, I would like to thank solicitor Ruth Keenleyside from Burnetts and Dr Jason Wells from 18 St John Street Chambers. Without their help and support we would not have got the answers we wanted.”

Ruth Keenleyside from Burnetts said, “Because of his underlying health problems, Paul was not expected to live to a ripe old age, but he shouldn’t have died in March 2006. His care at the Cumberland Infirmary following his toe operation was poor and his early death could have been avoided. I’m pleased we have, at last, been able to help the family get their questions answered. The family has already launched a civil claim against the Cumberland Infirmary, but tragically the claim will cover little more than funeral expenses.”

The inquest took place on 10th and 11th September at The Courts in Carlisle.

End

11th September 2009