45-year-old father of two has tragically died after waiting 34 hours for life-saving antibiotics at a Midlands hospital, with investigators concluding his death could have been avoided.
The disabled man was referred to Bassetlaw Hospital in Nottinghamshire in November 2022 for intravenous (IV) antibiotics to treat a urinary infection. However, a report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found serious failures in his care, The Mirror reported.
The man, who lived in supported accommodation in Ollerton, had Alexander disease, a rare and incurable neurological condition that affected his mobility, breathing, and ability to communicate. He required round-the-clock care and had a permanent catheter, making him prone to infections.
According to the investigation, despite clear advice from paramedics and care home staff that he needed IV antibiotics, hospital doctors delayed treatment. He eventually received the correct medication more than a day after arriving — and at only half the required dose. By the time a second delayed dose was given, he had developed sepsis. He died a week later.
The report noted that doctors initially chose oral antibiotics after consulting a microbiologist, only to discover the drug was unavailable. The ombudsman said doctors should have sought further guidance, which would likely have led to faster IV treatment.
The man’s mother repeatedly raised concerns, warning staff that oral antibiotics would not work and that a microbiologist’s report already confirmed this. She said she was dismissed and not told her son had received no antibiotics for a prolonged period.
“I was given the impression he had at least been given something,” she said. “Finding out he had no treatment for all that time was devastating.”
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has agreed to apologise formally, offer financial compensation, and implement changes to prevent a repeat. The trust’s chief nurse said they were “truly sorry” and had already strengthened how antibiotics are prescribed and escalated.
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