§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have died while on trolleys in the Leicestershire health authority while awaiting admission in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [18737]
§ Jacqui SmithThere are no recorded instances of patients dying on trolleys in the Leicestershire health authority area while awaiting admission in accident and emergency, with the exception of Brenda Jones, who died in Leicester Royal infirmary on 20 November.
After being assessed and waiting on a trolley for several hours, Mrs. Jones was being seen by a doctor in Leicester Royal infirmary accident and emergency department when she collapsed. She was taken to a resuscitation room, where sadly she died. A post mortem has revealed that she died of a pulmonary embolus. The trust's initial investigations suggest this could not have been foreseen from her presenting condition. Nevertheless, a full investigation is being carried out and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust has already revisited and strengthened its procedures and has apologised to Mrs. Jones' husband.