The family of a patient who died after being forced to call the hospital switchboard for help has spoken out about the negligent treatment he received while in hospital.

The Daily Mail reports that 60-year-old Derek Sauter – a former administrator for the Healthcare Commission – was admitted to the Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup, Kent, at 9am on June 27, 2008, suffering from a routine chest infection from which he should have recovered, say doctors.

He died from pneumonia, after repeatedly requesting a drink of water – and even phoning the hospital switchboard for help from his mobile phone. Eventually he phoned his wife at home and asked her to return to the hospital.

The investigations into Mr Sauter’s death have centered on the actions of the ward sister Caroline Lowe, who has since been sacked by the hospital. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is currently investigating the case, but has not suspended Ms Lowe.

After Mr Sauter’s death, his family found that he had scribbled a note detailing what had happened:

'Asked for a jug of water at 6pm and again at 8.30, told to wait for handover. Said I knocked cup of water on floor.'

In another note, Mr Sauter said he was 'getting depressed'.

The ward sister, Ms Lowe,  had allegedly turned away a doctor who had come to visit Mr Sauter on the ward after he had telephoned and asked for medical attention. He had been given intravenous antibiotics and oxygen on admission, but Ms Lowe had allegedly dismissed his request for water after he had accidentally spilled the cup that had been given to him.

At one point it is alleged she had threatened to take his mobile phone off him after he had phoned the hospital switchboard – and had accused him of ‘overreacting’.

By 11.30pm Mr Sauter had still not had any fluids and the next morning at 6.51am, he telephoned his wife Susan in distress. His 60-year-old wife of 41 years – a midwife – made her way to the hospital but arrived less than half-an-hour after he died. She had not been able to see him before because the events that had caused him distress had taken place outside visiting hours.

‘The couple’s daughter, Ruth Sauter, 42, from Thurrock in Essex said she was appalled at the treatment her father – a grandfather of three – had received.

'His condition was not life threatening and the nurses had specific instructions to keep close tabs on him.

'But their appalling lack of care – and cruel behaviour – killed my father. He should not have died that weekend; it was not his time.’

An investigation found that, between 9.30pm and 11.30pm, Mr Sauter was moved to a side room, where there was no monitoring equipment. Mr Sauter was supposed to have been checked every four hours, but no observations on his condition were made.

The hospital investigation found that Mr Sauter's oxygen levels – which should have been routinely monitored – had not been checked for 11 hours and had dropped 35 per cent below the recommended level.

The report concluded that Mr Sauter would have survived had it not been for the ‘failings’ of Ms Lowe in caring for him. A spokesman for Queen Mary's Hospital said:

'The trust would like to convey their sincerest apologies for the failings in care which have been revealed.’

Ms Lowe – from Essex – said she had been traumatised by what had happened.

'I am so sorry about what has gone on, but there are key facts the family haven't picked up on. He didn't press the buzzer. We got him water, but then he spilled it, so we got him another glass. We got him a jug and everything. I have been through such trauma with this. I am still traumatised by it.’

It is alleged that, rather than offering her sympathies to Mrs Sauter over her husband’s death, Ms Lowe told her that he could have been prosecuted for harassing the doctor on call.

The NMC investigation continues.

'It's absolutely appalling that they haven't struck the nurse off their register,' added Mr Sauter’s daughter, Ruth.

‘It's so much worse knowing that he died alone, thirsty and scared on that ward.’

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