This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-29422189

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Family tell inquest of concerns after Timothy Cowen's post-op death Family tell inquest of concerns after Timothy Cowen's post-op death
(about 4 hours later)
The brother of a disabled man who died after a routine operation has told an inquest his death should never have happened.The brother of a disabled man who died after a routine operation has told an inquest his death should never have happened.
Timothy Cowen, 51, died after a gall bladder operation at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in May last year.Timothy Cowen, 51, died after a gall bladder operation at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in May last year.
On Tuesday, the hearing was told there had been a lack of communication regarding Mr Cowen's care. The inquest in Mold was told there was a lack of communication about his care.
But a ward sister said staff were aware about how to look after Mr Cowen such as administering his food via a tube. The coroner, recording a narrative verdict, said lessons had undoubtedly been learned, but he was still concerned about training.
"This is not about blame, but about finding out what happened," Mr Cowen's brother, Philip, told the inquest in Mold, Flintshire. John Gittins said there should be mandatory training for all staff working with patients with learning difficulties.
"This should have been a never-event. Procedures should have been put in place and followed." Mr Cowen's brother Philip had told the inquest earlier that the hearing was "not about blame, but about finding out what happened".
"This should have been a never-event. Procedures should have been put in place and followed," he said.
'No observations taken''No observations taken'
Philip Cowen said his brother, who had severe learning difficulties and had to be fed via a tube through his stomach, was "a bubbly and happy person".Philip Cowen said his brother, who had severe learning difficulties and had to be fed via a tube through his stomach, was "a bubbly and happy person".
He told the coroner, John Gittins, that on the day Mr Cowen from Caergwrle, Flintshire, was due be discharged no observations had been taken all day.He told the coroner, John Gittins, that on the day Mr Cowen from Caergwrle, Flintshire, was due be discharged no observations had been taken all day.
Earlier, Mr Cowen's mother, Berenice, told the inquest staff had tried to feed him through the tube while he was lying down on two occasions.Earlier, Mr Cowen's mother, Berenice, told the inquest staff had tried to feed him through the tube while he was lying down on two occasions.
However, his notes stipulated he should only be fed sitting up because of the risk of reflux and pneumonia.However, his notes stipulated he should only be fed sitting up because of the risk of reflux and pneumonia.
Spot auditsSpot audits
Fleming Ward sister Janet Edwards told the hearing that staff were used to caring for patients who were tube-fed into their stomachs and she was "confident" staff were aware they needed to be at a 45 degree angle and would never feed patients lying flat. Fleming Ward sister Janet Edwards told the hearing staff were used to caring for patients who were tube-fed into their stomachs and she was "confident" staff were aware they needed to be at a 45 degree angle and would never feed patients lying flat.
She said that carers who had visited Mr Cowen may have been concerned he was being fed in bed when they would usually feed him sitting in a chair. She said carers who had visited Mr Cowen may have been concerned he was being fed in bed when they would usually feed him sitting in a chair.
"We were still feeding him in the correct position," she said."We were still feeding him in the correct position," she said.
Responding to the fact that Mr Cowen's observations were taken at 08:00 BST on the day of his discharge, she said that should not have happened and observations should have been noted more regularly.Responding to the fact that Mr Cowen's observations were taken at 08:00 BST on the day of his discharge, she said that should not have happened and observations should have been noted more regularly.
But she said that since his death, improvements had been made with spot audits held.But she said that since his death, improvements had been made with spot audits held.
Nesta York, who was the project manager of Y Maes, the care home where Mr Cowen lived, told the inquest that she had had concerns about his feeding on a visit to the hospital the day after his operation. Nesta York, who was the project manager of Y Maes, the care home where Mr Cowen lived, told the inquest she had concerns about his feeding on a visit to the hospital the day after his operation.
The inquest continues. After the hearing, Betsi Cadwaladr health board apologised for "the range of clinical and service errors which occurred during Mr Cowden's stay at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital in 2013".
Angela Hopkins, executive director of nursing and midwifery, added: "A detailed investigation was undertaken with the involvement of the family and a comprehensive action plan and range of recommendations developed.
"These included ongoing training for staff to ensure that standards are met and maintained and this is being closely monitored."