A son claims his mother died in unnecessary pain and anguish because of poor care at Medway hospital.

Maureen Clayton died after almost 11 weeks on Will Adams ward. During this time, her son Phillip claims she was never turned in bed, resulting in “horrendous” pressure sores.

Mrs Clayton went from being an independent 86-year-old who lived on her own, to a frail bedridden woman who would hold her son’s hand and cry in pain.

Mr Clayton has complained to the hospital trust and had a meeting with chairman Shena Winning. He was told on December 29, an investigation would take place, but has not heard anything since.

He said: “The fact that my mother died is unfortunate. The way she died in pain and tears from the pressure sores is a disgrace and in my view, totally unacceptable.

“Add this to the fact that I have had no response from the hospital and you have to conclude that they simply do not care.”

“It was not the right way for her to die. The way she spent her last few weeks was shocking..." - son Phillip Clayton

Mrs Clayton was taken to A&E on September 13 after a fall at her home in Gainsborough Close, Rainham.

Her heart rate was low and she spent three days on a cardiac unit.

She was then diagnosed with liver problems and transferred to the ward where Mr Clayton claims she was left on her back the whole time.

Mr Clayton said: “They simply rearranged the pillows underneath her. Turning a patient in bed is not rocket science. It is a basic nursing skill.

“She contracted MRSA which would have significantly reduced her body’s ability to heal the sores. There was a long delay before she was fitted with a temporary pacemaker and then a permanent one. During this time she deteriorated.

“If she had been fitted with the pacemaker in the first week and been able to get up, maybe things would have been different.”

Mrs Clayton died on November 27 of renal failure.

Her son added: “It is wrong to say my mother would not have died but I do think the care she received shortened her life.

“It was not the right way for her to die. The way she spent her last few weeks was shocking.

“The real problem is a total lack of leadership which permeates right down to ward level and results in an appalling level of service.

"I do not need apologies or a formal investigation, what I would like to see is change.”

A spokesman for Medway NHS Foundation Trust said: “We will be getting in touch with the family directly to understand any outstanding issues.”

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