"The Death of my Mother"

I have only just found this on the web after watching Panorama last night which explains the delay of writing this story. It is the anniversary of my mother's death on the 14 march she died 3 years ago after going into Darent Valley for a routine knee replacement her only problem was her knee.

The operation was ok but she fainted and vomited the next day with blood which was probably due to pain relief she was given.

She was on Maple Ward - she got moving and I just wanted her home -due to the blood which never occurred again they wanted to do an endoscopy, I told my mum not to bother as she was much better.

Unfortunately for her they took her for the endoscopy the next day. During the procedure he put a hole in her oesophagus. She was sent back to Maple ward where I think most of the staff did not take any notice of her, even though she was obviously unwell with pain in her chest, the even gave her cracked ice for a sore throat. When my sister visited some hours later she was distraught at her condition and asked for a dr to be called I got there later to find her in a state of collapse, I did not see any staff attending her and all appeared to me to be unwilling to talk about what was going on.

After 18 months of MRSA in her heel, c.diff and being unable to eat or drink normally ever again she died at darent valley, 3 days after being discharged to a nursing home.

My mum went into this hospital laughing and saying she been running a marathon when she had her op – I feel that they badly let her down.

We have had a formal complaint and it was upheld by the health commission.

What I would warn people is to check who is doing your op/tests and always make a fuss if you think something is not right.

My mum told me the endoscope test was horrific and she asked the dr to stop although he denies this, my mum did not lie.

We have had meetings with the hospital and they have apologised and say procedures have been put in place but I think people should know what a nightmare my mum experienced due to this hospital.