The conditions at Oldchurch Hospital have been labelled "disgusting" by a bereaved daughter shocked by the treatment of her elderly mum.

Pansy Hornsley, 77, from Stock Lane, Ingatestone, was originally admitted in early April to Harold Wood Hospital for a gall stones operation, but became violently sick the day after being discharged and was taken to Oldchurch by ambulance.

While doctors assessed her condition she passed blood twice in a week, but when the family questioned staff about tests over the Easter weekend they claim they were told none could be completed until after the bank holiday break. It later emerged that Mrs Hornsley had suffered a perforated ulcer.

A spokesman for Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust insisted there should not have been any delay in emergency tests and said staff were willing to discuss the case with the family.

They said: "We operate a 24/7 service. Everyone who requires tests will get tests regardless of date or time."

But, daughter Pat Banks, from Boreham, said: "My mum was 77, had never been ill in her life and she was treated appallingly by the hospital. Something has to be done about how this hospital treats old people."

Mrs Banks said she was also appalled by the cleanliness of her mum's ward: "In the first week my mum was in hospital we noticed how disgusting her ward was. It was filthy. For instance, we saw a plaster down by her bed which was not cleared up for six days."

The trust spokesman said no cleanliness issues had been raised at the time and Matrons, who are expected to inspect their areas regularly, can access extra resources to "ensure standards are maintained".

They added: "We would ask any patient or relative to raise their concerns at the time so they can be resolved."

Mrs Banks said she was considering making a formal complaint about her mother's treatment.

She said her mother had to wait until the Thursday after Easter Monday for the tracheoscopy which discovered the perforated ulcer.

She said: "I honestly believe that if they had done something sooner my mum would not be dead. Now we will never know."

The trust spokesman said: "As we have not had any contact nor received any complaint from the family it would be inappropriate to discuss confidential patient information at this time."

Published Friday, May 16, 2003

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