Hospital changes after man dies twice

Peter Parry was being treated at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd

An inquest into the death of a man found to be alive half an hour after being certified dead has heard how the hospital in question has now changed its procedures.

The hearing had been told that 77-year-old Peter Parry from Holywell, had suffered a heart attack and showed no vital signs during resuscitation at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, north Wales.

Mr Parry was in hospital for a hip operation

But after paying their last respects, Mr Parry's wife and other relatives were called back and the same doctor who had given them the news of his death explained that he was still alive.

They were taken to the bedside, where Mr Parry - who died three days later from another heart attack - was breathing unaided, but in a coma.

Prestatyn Coroner's Court was told on Monday that Mr Parry - a former builder with a history of heart problems - was initially taken to hospital for a hip operation.

Detected movement

But during his treatment in hospital, the court heard that he suffered heart failure.

A resuscitation team had failed to get a response and the family were subsequently informed of his death.

The doctors who tried to resuscitate Mr parry told the coroner that although there was some electrical activity in his heart, he was not breathing and his heart had stopped.

Giving evidence, members of his family told of their distress over what had happened at the hospital.

They explained how they thought they had detected movement and a breath when kissing him goodbye.

Relatives were stopped before leaving the hospital

Glan Clwyd Hsopital's medical director Dr Geoff Williams said that in the wake of Mr Parry's death he had conducted an investigation into resuscitation procedures.

And as a result of this, he explained that he had made several recommendations.

He explained that where there is doubt over the death of a patient, relatives should be informed that there are no evident signs of life rather than that the patient has died.

The coroner returned a verdict of death by natural causes.