Coroner Raises Concerns Over Hospital Care Following Death Of East Sussex Man

A coroner has raised serious concerns about hospital care after a 58-year-old man was found lying in soiled dressings with a pressure sore left exposed in the months before his death.

David Dugdale died in May 2024 after being treated at Eastbourne District General Hospital and later at Conquest Hospital in Hastings, both run by East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Assistant coroner Rachel Redman said Mr Dugdale was only given oral paracetamol while at Eastbourne, despite having bilateral hip fractures and a category two pressure sore.

She added that his pain was not properly addressed until ambulance staff raised concerns.

Mr Dugdale had been admitted to hospital in January 2024 with pneumonia and gastrointestinal bleeding.

He fell at Eastbourne District General Hospital in February, but fractures were not diagnosed for almost two weeks.

He was later transferred to Conquest Hospital, where he underwent three operations.

In a report aimed at preventing future deaths, the coroner said Mr Dugdale lost almost 30 kilograms during four months in hospital and often was not eating or drinking, with limited nutritional support provided.

She also raised concerns that carers repeatedly warned nursing staff that he was in pain, but their concerns were not acted upon.

The coroner said he was frequently found by visiting carers lying in soiled dressings, with his pressure sore exposed and in pain.

The pressure sore later deteriorated to category four and was found to have contributed to his death, alongside other health conditions.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said it had already made some changes and would continue to work on a detailed action plan.

A spokesperson said the trust was committed to providing safe, effective and compassionate care and offered condolences to Mr Dugdale’s family.

The trust has been asked to respond to the coroner’s report by 5 March.