In a heartbreaking turn of events, an 85-year-old grandfather passed away after a catheter was left inside his body for more than two years, causing severe complications that ultimately led to his death.
James Giles, who had dementia, endured years of scarring, persistent infections, and at least one episode of sepsis due to the medical error, which was discovered only after his health worsened significantly.
Medical Error and Deteriorating Health
James was admitted to Northamptonshire NHS Trust in November 2021, after struggling with urination issues.
The hospital staff initially diagnosed him with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and began administering antibiotics.
However, his condition continued to worsen despite the treatment, and his family grew increasingly concerned.
They repeatedly asked for a full-body scan, fearing that something more serious was at play.
The Discovery and Devastating Outcome
It wasn’t until after a CT scan that doctors discovered a four-inch piece of the catheter lodged inside James’s urethra.
This piece of medical equipment had snapped inside his body, causing ongoing damage and severe health complications.
Tragically, James passed away on July 5, 2024, and his family is now questioning the care he received at the hospital.
His grandson, Aidan Giles, is convinced that the retained catheter directly contributed to his grandfather’s suffering and premature death.
Aidan has been vocal about his concerns regarding the hospital’s treatment of James, particularly the failure to properly diagnose the issue and the repeated use of antibiotics to treat what was, in fact, a foreign object in his body.
Family’s Concerns About Patient Care
Aidan shared his frustration, stating that the family had grave concerns about the care his grandfather received at Northampton General Hospital.
He emphasized that despite their repeated requests for a thorough investigation, the medical staff did not believe the scan results at first and continued to treat James for a UTI, while the catheter remained inside him.
This mistake led to prolonged pain, infections, and ultimately, a more serious health crisis.
Hospital’s Apology and Reflection
Julie Hogg, the chief nurse at University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Trust, recently met with Aidan to personally apologize for the hospital’s failure to properly care for James and for the poor communication with the family.
Hogg acknowledged that the hospital should have done better, though she also pointed out that, despite providing care to thousands of patients, they don’t always get it right for everyone.
While the hospital has issued an apology, the Giles family is left grieving and questioning how such a preventable tragedy could have happened.
A Call for Accountability
The tragic death of James Giles serves as a reminder of the importance of proper patient care, accurate diagnoses, and clear communication between medical professionals and families.
The Giles family hopes that their experience will shed light on the need for improved practices to ensure that no other family has to go through a similar ordeal.