Patricia Donovan

The IIATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows_ and

Adecision was made for Mrs Donovan t0 receive total hip replacemnent as she was able to walk independently of aids prior to her fall. This dlecision was in accordance with National Instikute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines Mrs Donovan was listed for surgery on 14 January 2017; due to insufficient theatre staff the operation was cancelled and it was rescheduled for the following day: The following day the operation was cancelled due to resource availability: The next available opportunity for surgery with a specialist surgeon was 19 January 2017 days after the fall): NICE guidelines state that treatment of neck of femur fractures should be within 48 hours but recognise that in certain circumstances_ it may be appropriate to delay for the correct operation by the correct specialist; Evidence was given at the inquest that ideally surgery should be completed in 3 to 4 It is acknowledged that in this case, there were competing priorities on resources and surgery was arranged for the first available list with an appropriate specialist It is also acknowledged that the delay in surgery did not have an impact on Mrs Donovan's cause of death; however; it is recognised that serious complications leading to potentially life threatening conditions can arise where prompt surgery is not undertaken;