The daughter of a man who died a day after testing positive for Covid-19 while in hospital after a routine operation has described the events as “unacceptable”.

Retired painter Ray Howe was admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham in mid-November to repair a broken hip.

The 86-year-old was recovering well and was days away from returning to the home he shared with his daughter Mary when a routine Covid-19 test proved positive. He died one day later.

He had been in hospital for two weeks. The test was carried out after his admission.

An inquest opening heard that Mr Howe died of respiratory failure brought on by Covid-19. The hearing was adjourned and will resume tomorrow (Thursday).

Speaking at her father’s home in Kenilworth Court, Sittingbourne, Mary Howe paid tribute to her dad and called for change at the hospital. She said: “It’s taken us all by shock as it happened within a day.

“He was a hard-working family man with a great sense of humour. He was interested in military history after his two years of national service in the 1950s. He was someone who always loved his kids and his wife.”

Ms Howe explained that her father recently lost his brother Charlie in August.

She said: “I had been out to get him a new bed as we expected him back soon. Then we were told he had tested positive for Covid and the next day they rang to tell us he had died.

“It’s unacceptable. Something needs to change as it can’t keep happening. People can’t be sending loved ones into hospital without Covid to then catch the virus. I know nothing will bring him back but a lot of people are angry at losing their loved ones there.

“I understand it is a lot of pressure for the workers and hospital and they’re probably understaffed but it’s not acceptable.”

Mr Howe leaves a widow Betty, son Leslie, daughter Mary and granddaughter Lauren.

Analysis of NHS data by a national newspaper showed Medway Maritime Hospital had 27.2% of all Covid-19 cases since August caught in hospital. Of 658 Covid infections, 179 were caught in hospital and 479 acquired outside.

And earlier today it was revealed emergency planners in Kent met over concerns ambulances won't be able to get some patients into hospitals.

Increasing Covid numbers have seen casualty departments stretched to their limits, including Medway Maritime.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust was unable to comment on Mr Howe's death.

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