'Serious failings' led to death of man, say family

A GRANDFATHER has remained in “cold storage” at a Newcastle hospital for more than a year as his family are determined to fight for justice after uncovering “failings” in his care and see his body has vital evidence.

- SAM VOLPE

Bill Trotter lived much of his adult life in Cumbria but was born and brought up in Washington. In July 2024, he died aged 73 following treatment at the Cumberland Infirmary.

His family have raised serious concerns about his care and allege that he was misdiagnosed several times.

He died after slipping into a diabetic coma and his family allege that they were even told that a leg amputation may not have been necessary.

Other issues they have include that their dad was left around 12 days between it being noted that he had a bladder issue before he had a catheter fitted and it was found he had retained almost a litre of urine.

They are also concerned about inconsistencies in documentation following his death, especially a claim that he had been admitted to hospital already with the severe infected abscess that would cause sepsis.

In fact, it has now been accepted by NHS bosses that Mr Trotter did not have such an abscess on his backside at the time he was last admitted to hospital.

However, this claim was repeated in a postmortem report. The NHS trust has shared its “deepest sympathies” and says it had “previously conducted a detailed complaint investigation into multiple issues raised” and this had aimed “to be an open and honest” exercise.