"Seeing dad die will live with me for the rest of my life"

My dad was 89 years old. He has been health free most of his life, but had a small heart attack in 2005. Upon investigation they found he had an old aneurysm. In July 2007 my dad was treated for a blood clot at Peterborough hospital, which he got over and still enjoyed life. In November 2007 he had severe chest pains and was admitted as an emergency to Peterborough hospital where he was admitted for the night. I thought he looked awful as his stomach was distended he was clammy and it seemed to me clearly in pain. I was very relieved dad was in good hands at this time. The next morning I went to the hospital as they rang and said my dad could be discharged. I picked him up, and was told he was in the waiting room. He still looked awful I thought and one of the nurses told me there is nothing wrong with your dad, he has just got indigestion. That weekend was like hell for us as I felt dad clearly was in a lot of pain. When I called the NHS direct, I was told that maybe he should have stayed in hospital. Dad went to see his GP on the Monday and he told me the doctor had said to him "Let’s get this straight there is nothing wrong with you, you have indigestion".

The following night my dad collapsed at home with a leaking aneurysm and died. To have seen my dad like that, it will live with me for the rest of my life.

My dad did have a post mortem and cause of death was a leaking aneurysm. I believe the hospital should have picked this up especially with my dad’s medical history. I think further tests should have been done and I am angry with the hospital for not doing so. He may have been 89 but I think he had every right to medical treatment. My husband died there last year so the place is not a happy one for me, but that’s another nightmare of a story to follow.