My 52 year old Mother sadly passed away June this year. She was diagnosed with hepatitus C about 25 years ago and has had cirrhosis of the liver for a few years. For the last few years her consultant had been trying her on trial medication to try and get rid of the virus. This wasn't working for her at all, and it was only until March this year that she was referred to Birmingham liver unit for a transplant assessment. My mother has become very unwell since February. She had a bad case of encephalitis in February and we thought she was going to die then. My mother had a lot of fluid on her lungs and in her abdomen. She was admitted to hospital and spent a week on an assessment ward before her lung and stomach was drained. They couldn't drain the fluid from her stomach and it started to weep with blood. The following day water was pouring out of the side of her, she was giving a few dressings and discharged from hospital. She was in agonising pain in her side and her back, where they had drained the fluid. 2 das after her discharge she saw her consultant in Birmginahm and she was told that her liver was in a critical state and a transplant assessment would be done in 2 weeks. The day after seeing her consultant she was admitted to hospital after being in agonising pain in her side and said it was worse than child birth. She was admitted to the assessment ward, her wound was still weeping with water and the dressings that the hospital has discharged her with were soon getting soaking wet and turning yellow. After 24 hours on the assessment unit she was taking to the intensive care unit. We were told that a 'catastrophic event' had taking place and they could not operate, only pump her with antibiotics. The surgeon said he believed she has caught an infection in her side which is caused bacterial peritonitis and was attacking the organs in her body. She died the following day. I have wrote a letter or complaint to my local health board about the care the had recieved. The hospital were aware of my mother's health and they discharged her from hospital with no after care or follow up arranged to have her stitches out. The coroner said that there was no infection in her lower body but yet the funreal director was to under no circumstances embalm her or open the casket. I have been told by the local health council that they don't think I will be getting an answer to my complaint with 30 days. I was wondering if anyone had experience with complaints towards the NHS before or if they believe I have a case?

Hello! Just looking for some advice; professional or just from someone who has been in the same situation as myself. I've been suspended from my work place for 8 months after a student nursed on a 2 week placement made a false allegation about myself. She has accused myself of throwing water over a patient whilst laughing. The other two people who have also been suspended are respected members of staff who have worked with th trust for 20 years. On the day in question she had made an allegation that I threw water, laughed and turned around and did a curtsy (as a man, this is something I'd never do). It has been a hard 8 months, I've been interviews under caution by the police as they could of charged me with common assault, but they didn't take it any further as there was lack of evidence. I have worked with the trust for 3 years, I have a clean disciplinary record and also no issues about my work practice from my previous employer. The third year student nurse didn't report the allegation for two weeks as she was afraid of reprisal and felt she couldn't approach anyone. I continued to work on the ward for 2 weeks and she was fully aware I was working with this patient and didn't say anything. Surely reporting an allegation becomes before how you would feel. There are no truth in the allegations what so ever and utterly appalled that someone would question the way myself and the other two members of staff work. They have the best relationship with the patient and would never see any harm come to him. The investigating officer has decided to take the case to a disciplinary hearing, the three of us involved have denied the allegations. My ward manager has also commended my work attitude and has never had any concerns about the way I work. Is there anyone out there who could give me their opinion on the situation and when it comes to the hearing, what questions can I ask the person who had made the allegations. Thanks in advanced!