AN inquiry has been launched by Burnley Health Care Trust into the death of an 89-year-old widow, sent home from casualty in the early hours with fractured ribs and a damaged lung.

It is also alleged that a sister phoned the Lancashire County Council home in Barnoldswick, where the woman lived, to say it was disgusting that a lady of her age had been sent to hospital in the middle of the night without having first been seen by her GP.

The sister, it is alleged, told staff at the home that the woman was not suffering from a punctured lung and indicated there was nothing wrong with her.

Martha Hannah Lambert of Cravenside, Lower North Avenue, Barnoldswick, was seen by her GP at 8.30 the same morning, taken back to Burnley General and admitted. She died four days later on May 12.

A Health Care NHS Trust spokesman said today it was looking into the circumstances surrounding Mrs Lambert's visit to the Accident and Emergency Department and her experiences at the hospital.

Pathologist Dr Zuhair Twaij, who performed a post mortem examination, said he found bruising to the left side of her chest, four fractured ribs on the left side and damage to the left lung.

The cause of death was broncho pneumonia resulting from injuries consistent with a fall. Barbara Gerrard, deputy officer in charge at the home, said Mrs Lambert moved around by holding on to furniture and had had a number of falls.

On May 7, a member of staff found her on the bedroom floor. She seemed all right but again fell in the lounge.

She stayed up for a while and was then put to bed. She did not settle and during the night staff saw her injuries.

Mrs Gerrard said Mrs Lambert was sent to hospital but was back within half an hour. She said the sister rang to say it was disgusting that a woman of that age had been sent out at that time without having first seen her GP.

Mrs Gerrard said she was not happy with the situation and rang for the doctor.

She also rang casualty at the hospital but no-one could tell her whether Mrs Lambert had been x-rayed.

Mrs Gerrard said she had reported the matter to her superiors. A letter had been sent to the Trust, who had replied saying they would investigate.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith said he was concerned about what had been said and that Mrs Lambert had been returned from casualty so quickly. "Even if they couldn't find anything wrong they should have been able to find her a bed until later in the day.

"I intend to write to the Trust and ask them to give an explanation for what happened.''

He told Ian Lambert of Wellington Street, Barnoldswick: "Even if it doesn't help your grandmother, it may help someone else.''

Mr Lambert accepted that what happened did not affect the final outcome.

He added: "I don't want the same thing to happen to someone who could have lived.''

He said: "She went through a lot of pain and suffering going back and forward between the home and hospital.''

Mr Smith recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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