A widow whose husband was forced to stay in a repurposed cupboard at a Norfolk hospital where he had to use a torch at night hopes “lessons have been learned” following his death.

Sharon Harvey told an inquest into her husband Pete's death that she had to take the torch in for him, to allow him to see at night once the door was closed as there was no suitable lighting.

Mr Harvey died on November 8 last year, at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

The 67-year-old from Brundall had several co-morbidities and was admitted to the hospital just a month after he had previously been discharged.

His first admission was on July 25, and he remained there until August 8. He was readmitted on September 21 and stayed there until his death, during heart surgery.

Mrs Harvey raised a number of concerns about his treatment at the hospital at an inquest into his death at Norfolk Coroner’s Court this month.

Norfolk Coroner's CourtNorfolk Coroner's Court (Image: Newsquest)

These include claims that there was a lack of communication, that his treatment was delayed, and the care substandard.

In a statement to the court, the retired administrator said: “Pete was moved into a room which I can only describe as a cupboard. I believe it was a store cupboard previously.

“There was no overhead light and no window in the door to enable Pete to see to get out when the door shut at night. I had to take a torch for him to use to find his way around.”

She also said he had been discharged too early the first time, resulting in him being readmitted weeks later.

Speaking about his second stay, she said: “He was moved to a two-man room, but he was in an additional third bed. He had no alarm to call the nurses, no plug sockets, or lights behind him.

“Instead, he was given an alarm like something out of a comedy show with a big red buzzer which went ‘ding dong’ like doorbell. Nobody took any notice of the alarm.”

She added: “It seems he didn’t stand a chance, and should definitely not have been sent home after the first heart attack.

“Pete did not deserve to be treated like this. I hope lessons have been learned.”

Inside the N&NInside the N&N (Image: Newsquest)

She called for improvements to be made to the communication between consultants, patients, and relatives.

Sister Kate Goddard, who is responsible for Kilverstone ward and the Coronary Care Unit at the N&N, addressed the issues of the vision engineer's care in a statement to the court.

She said: "Mrs Harvey is correct that [the] room was originally a storage room.

“However, the room was completely refigured to a patient room – along with many other rooms on other wards in the trust – and has been a patient room for many years.

“The room has been converted to safely manage a patient with a call bell and oxygen/suction etcetera. 

“It does not resemble a storeroom anymore. However due to its location it has no window. There is a light in there, but this is not a light which can be dimmed like the lights in a bay.

“Concerns with this room were not highlighted [at the time] of the admission and no adverse incidents occurred due to Mr Harvey being in this room.”

Pete Harvey died at the N&N, pictured is a generic a&e departmentPete Harvey died at the N&N, pictured is a generic a&e department (Image: Newsquest)

She went on to say that during his second admission, an 'escalation bed' was used due to bed pressures within the trust. 

She added: This is a space within a room, and therefore does not leave the patient in an open space on the wards, which I know has been the case on other wards. 

“There is no evidence in the notes of any adverse incidents occurring or the care provided to Mr Harvey being affected by his bed space on the ward.

“Unfortunately, due to operational pressures across the region, difficult decisions have had to be made to ensure that patients can be admitted to hospital.” 

Assistant coroner Christopher Leach accepted an escalated bed was less than ideal but indicated it was the best that could be done when there was pressure on the hospital. 

Concluding, he said: “Mr Harvey was admitted to the N&N on September 21, 2023, having been discharged the previous month following an admission for a heart attack.  

“Mr Harvey was very unwell. And suffered from multiple complex conditions.  

“Following investigations which involved delays due in part to the complexities of Mr Harvey’s condition, Mr Harvey was due to be transferred to the Royal Papworth Hospital for surgery. 

“However, whilst awaiting a transfer, he suffered a further heart attack and possible stroke.  

“On November 8, 2023, he underwent a primary angioplasty in an attempt to address the critical heart condition and died during the procedure.” 

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