"My Husbands untimely death in Ulster Hospital Dundonald"

My husband was admitted for elective surgery in January 2024. He was not advised of change of surgeon prior to signing consent. The operating surgeons failed to carry out a vital hepatology review. Post surgery he suffered poor care on Ward 5C and was physically manhandled by a staff member on the ward. The Trust has admitted that his care fell below the standards expected and has apologised. No dignity was afforded to him. He developed sepsis and required emergency surgery. The medical staff continued their normal pathway regardless of the fact that he was not recovering.  

Following the emergency surgery, my husband spent six days in ICU but was transferred to Ward 5A late on a Friday afternoon before a half term holiday weekend. I had insisted that he must not return to the original ward. The nursing care on Ward 5A was of a good standard, but unfortunately by the following Wednesday he had another infection and was in septic shock. He remained on Ward 5A for a further week whilst his organs were failing. ICU refused to accept him because they had no beds available. He was eventually transferred back to ICU too late to save his life.  

Medical staff did not show any concern about my husband's deterioration and death. The SEHSCT initially refused to conduct a SAIR, but after 12 months of pressure from me an independent review of my husband’s medical (not nursing) care highlighted issues which meant the Trust was compelled to conduct a SAIR. This was completed in July 2025 and resulted in 7 recommendations and a proposed timeline of 6 months for implementing the recommendations  

SEHSCT has confirmed to me that it accepts the SAI report and will implement all recommendations.