A grandmother died of thirst while in Maidstone Hospital - with one agency nurse allegedly denying fluids in case she wet the bed.

The disgraceful treatment of Edna Thompson was revealed this week as hospital bosses issued a grovelling apology.

The 85-year-old former librarian from Harrietsham was admitted with an eye condition but died from dehydration eight days later.

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Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust chief executive Glenn Douglas admitted a catalogue of errors and apologised to the family.

Mr Douglas' frank disclosure comes the same week a coroner called for changes after another patient was denied a CT scan at the weekend and subsequently died.

Retired shop assistant Sandra Wood, 69, was sent home but died 12 hours later from a bowel obstruction.

Mrs Thompson, from Harrietsham, was admitted to Mercer Ward after her vision began to rapidly decline.

VIDEO: Grandmother left to die of thirst at hospital

The family's ordeal began as the 85-year-old lost her sight and her health deteriorated to such an extent, she could no longer eat or drink unassisted.

The mother-of-three suffered severe dehydration and eventual renal failure after her admission with suspected malignant glaucoma last September.

She leaves two daughters, Sue Ealding and Ann Brown, and son Mark Thompson.

By the time clinicians acted on family concerns, it was too late to prevent her premature death.

Now, five months after the tragedy, Mr Douglas has written to the family to apologise unreservedly.

He said an investigation had found Mrs Thompson’s condition was exacerbated by the prescribing of diuretic drugs and other medication known to cause dehydration. One of these was mannitol, to lower eye pressure.

This is usually only prescribed for 48 hours but was given to Mrs Thompson over five days.

Mr Douglas told the family: "I would like to offer an unreserved apology for the errors.

"I am just appalled. If they had dealt with this better our mother could still be alive" - Ann Brown, Mrs Thompson's daughter

"Regrettably we cannot alter the sad outcome. However, I can assure you we have recognised the need to ensure this type of event does not occur again."

Mr Douglas said a review was underway and new procedures had been introduced to prevent similar a problem.

But Mrs Thompson's outraged daughter Ann Brown said: "I am just appalled. If they had dealt with this better none of this would have happened and our mother could still be alive."

Sue Ealding, added: "We expect hospitals to have a duty of care but the care in this case was non-existent."

On the weekend before her death Mrs Thompson’s family raised concerns about her dehydration with an agency nurse.

They were allegedly told it would be inconvenient if Mrs Thompson had too much water as it would mean staff having to change the bedding with increased frequency.

Mrs Thompson's live-in carer intervened to carry out basic functions, such as washing.

A trust spokesperson said: "We are very sorry that Mrs Thompson did not receive the high standards of care we would expect and we offer our deepest condolences.

"We have implemented a number of improvements to our systems and processes to improve patient care."

In addition, the trust said the agency nurse was no longer assigned shifts.

Mrs Thompson's family paid tribute to an "amazing lady".

A former librarian, Mrs Thompson was a keen reader and an active member of the Women's Institute, Supper Club and her local church.

Mr Thompson said: "I did not know that my first visit to her in hospital would also be the last time she would be awake or conscious enough for us to have a coherent conversation.

"She said, referring to both my sisters and myself, how grateful she was for everything we did.

"So now I'll say, as I wish I could have then, on behalf of my sisters, my nephews and I, mum/nan – thank you for everything you have done for us."

Mrs Thompson had moved from Loose to Harrietsham with her husband Fred in 1997 to be near her family.

The pair made many friends and were known for their love of gardening and bowling.

Mrs Thompson, who was widowed in 2012, suffered from multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis, and had a live-in carer to help with cooking and cleaning. Otherwise she was fit and healthy.