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Basildon Hospital criticised over young woman with disabilities Basildon Hospital criticised over death of disabled woman
(34 minutes later)
A hospital being investigated over high death rates "missed opportunities" to save the life of a disabled woman, according to the health Ombudsman.A hospital being investigated over high death rates "missed opportunities" to save the life of a disabled woman, according to the health Ombudsman.
Tina Papalabropoulos, 23, died in Basildon Hospital in Essex in 2009.Tina Papalabropoulos, 23, died in Basildon Hospital in Essex in 2009.
When Miss Papalabropoulos went to the hospital after it was thought food had got into her lungs the doctors did not treat her condition, the report said.When Miss Papalabropoulos went to the hospital after it was thought food had got into her lungs the doctors did not treat her condition, the report said.
The trust which runs the hospital said it had made significant improvement to the care and treatment it provided.The trust which runs the hospital said it had made significant improvement to the care and treatment it provided.
'An existence''An existence'
The trust was criticised for allowing her to eat and drink, failing immediately to administer antibiotics and for not considering moving her to the "high dependency" unit.The trust was criticised for allowing her to eat and drink, failing immediately to administer antibiotics and for not considering moving her to the "high dependency" unit.
"We found that (Tina's) doctors had missed any opportunity there might have been - however small - to save her life by providing earlier and more intensive treatment for her," the Ombudsman said."We found that (Tina's) doctors had missed any opportunity there might have been - however small - to save her life by providing earlier and more intensive treatment for her," the Ombudsman said.
The report also criticised an out-of-hours GP for refusing to visit Miss Papalabropoulos, whose disabilities included learning disabilities and epilepsy, in the run-up to her hospital stay, despite a plea from her mother. The report also criticised an out-of-hours GP for refusing to visit Miss Papalabropoulos, whose medical conditions included learning disabilities and epilepsy, in the run-up to her hospital stay, despite a plea from her mother.
Christine Papalabropoulos not only criticised those who were supposed to be caring for her daughter but said she believed too many doctors viewed people with learning disabilities as merely leading an "existence" and not having a life.Christine Papalabropoulos not only criticised those who were supposed to be caring for her daughter but said she believed too many doctors viewed people with learning disabilities as merely leading an "existence" and not having a life.
"Vulnerable people like my daughter have been suffering this kind of care for decades," she said."Vulnerable people like my daughter have been suffering this kind of care for decades," she said.
"They see it as 'this is not a life, this is just an existence', so they do not use all of their expertise."They see it as 'this is not a life, this is just an existence', so they do not use all of their expertise.
"That's wrong! This child is loved by all the people, family and friends they come in contact with. "That's wrong. This child is loved by all the people, family and friends they come in contact with.
"This child is a human being. They just happen to be born with a disability.""This child is a human being. They just happen to be born with a disability."
'Welcome review''Welcome review'
Beverley Dawkins, policy manager at learning disability charity Mencap, said the death of Miss Papalabropoulos had been an avoidable tragedy.Beverley Dawkins, policy manager at learning disability charity Mencap, said the death of Miss Papalabropoulos had been an avoidable tragedy.
"Her family and Mencap believe that the failings that led to her losing her life at 23 were because doctors held the view that Tina's life was not worth saving, due to her disability.""Her family and Mencap believe that the failings that led to her losing her life at 23 were because doctors held the view that Tina's life was not worth saving, due to her disability."
A trust spokeswoman said: "Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust welcomes the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman's review, which relates to a case dating back to 2009.A trust spokeswoman said: "Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust welcomes the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman's review, which relates to a case dating back to 2009.
"Since then the hospital has made significant improvement to the care and treatment we provide our patients with learning disabilities and we continue to listen to our patients, their families and carers to find out what further enhancements can be made.""Since then the hospital has made significant improvement to the care and treatment we provide our patients with learning disabilities and we continue to listen to our patients, their families and carers to find out what further enhancements can be made."
A review of Basildon is being conducted by NHS medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh and follows the inquiry into hundreds of deaths at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.A review of Basildon is being conducted by NHS medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh and follows the inquiry into hundreds of deaths at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.
Basildon Hospital had 3,186 deaths between April 2010 and April 2012.Basildon Hospital had 3,186 deaths between April 2010 and April 2012.