Ronald Bishop says he is still plagued with questions about his wife's death at Bromley Hospital
A FATHER-OF-TWO may never know what his wife died of - more than five years after her death.
Ronald Bishop, of Havelock Road, Bromley, lost his wife Rose three weeks before her 52nd birthday in February 2003.
The 58-year-old says Rose saw five doctors in six days and was given several different diagnoses before she was admitted to the old Bromley Hospital in Cromwell Avenue, Bromley, less than 24 hours before she died.
Mr Bishop, who married Rose in 1969, says questions about the sudden death of his wife have still not been answered.
He said: "The past five years have been horrendous. I wake up still asking the same questions, not knowing what she died of."
Mr Bishop, who works for Bristol Street Motors, sued the Bromley Hospitals' NHS Trust for negligence in his wife's death, an action which resulted in him accepting an out-of-court settlement in February this year.
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He added: "I have been living in a state of limbo. A monetary settlement does nothing when you spend your life asking Why?'"
Mr Bishop says he still wants to know why hospital staff said his wife was fine and there was nothing to be concerned about on the morning of the day she died.
He said: "I went home at lunch that day and 20 minutes later I got a call from the hospital telling me to come back as soon as possible
"I managed to get back in time to hold her hand as she died."
His wife's death certificate says she died of a gastrointestinal haemorrhage, the medical term for bleeding in the stomach.
He said: "The cause does not explain why. There's not enough there for someone to die from."
Mr Bishop's request for an inquest into his wife's death was turned down.
An independent consultant surgeon said in a letter to Mr Bishop's solicitor in June 2006 "it is still difficult to know exactly why Mrs Bishop died".
Mr Bishop says he feels like his life has finished.
He said: "I don't feel there's any life left for me. I am lucky I have two daughters who have stopped me doing something drastic."
A spokesman for Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust said: "The trust wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mrs Bishop and wishes them well for the future.
"After a full investigation by the trust into this matter, no admissions of liability were made.
"However, it was decided to settle this matter amicably."
you poor man, your life is'nt over, please dont give up, Rose is at peace now, please dont torment yourself, just take each day as it comes.
take care Ronald.
you poor man, your life is'nt over, please dont give up, Rose is at peace now, please dont torment yourself, just take each day as it comes.
Posted by: Family in left in pain, Bexley area on 3:00pm Tue 8 Apr 08
This happened to us over christmas for weeks we were asking my mothers doctor what was wrong with our mother to be told she will be ok she is just getting old, we cared for her as best we could called the doctor out 3 times on the last friday, before we lost her we were told by him to wait until the monday before he started to find a bed for her to be cared for in hospital, because she had fluded on her legs and hands, it was not life and death he seid, on the Sunday after his visit my dear mother could no longer use the toilet and we called the emergency service to be asked by them in a kind way why the hell was she not in hospital sooner! we lost the love of all our lives on the Tuesday that followed with i must say all the help that could have been given by Queen Marys Sidcup, but because of this careless doctor we now live with the guilt the our mothers organs were failing and she was in such pain because some of the care system we have could not be bothered because of her age. We live with that guilt not them, but i must say in our case the hospital was great. It was her doctor who took blood tests which we never were albe to see the results and the layed back way he played with someones life have a lot to answer too. I can understand this man feeling the way he does and if he is anything like us will feel this way about our health system and for many years to come. I wish his family my sincere condolences and to let him no we know how he feels.
This happened to us over christmas for weeks we were asking my mothers doctor what was wrong with our mother to be told she will be ok she is just getting old, we cared for her as best we could called the doctor out 3 times on the last friday, before we lost her we were told by him to wait until the monday before he started to find a bed for her to be cared for in hospital, because she had fluded on her legs and hands, it was not life and death he seid, on the Sunday after his visit my dear mother could no longer use the toilet and we called the emergency service to be asked by them in a kind way why the hell was she not in hospital sooner! we lost the love of all our lives on the Tuesday that followed with i must say all the help that could have been given by Queen Marys Sidcup, but because of this careless doctor we now live with the guilt the our mothers organs were failing and she was in such pain because some of the care system we have could not be bothered because of her age. We live with that guilt not them, but i must say in our case the hospital was great. It was her doctor who took blood tests which we never were albe to see the results and the layed back way he played with someones life have a lot to answer too. I can understand this man feeling the way he does and if he is anything like us will feel this way about our health system and for many years to come. I wish his family my sincere condolences and to let him no we know how he feels.
I wish I knew what to say, what I have read here has made me very angry.
All I can offer is love and thoughts and my sincerest condolences for Ron and his family and for the Lady and her family who posted above me.
People do care.
I wish I knew what to say, what I have read here has made me very angry.
All I can offer is love and thoughts and my sincerest condolences for Ron and his family and for the Lady and her family who posted above me.
Posted by: Maria Bishop, Plymouth on 8:35am Wed 9 Apr 08
Loosing someone so close is mean`t to get easier in time...believe me it just gets harder! Not only have i lost my mum, but i feel like ive lost my dad too.
Travelled down to Bromley from Plymouth to visit my mum in hospital in 2003. When i saw her she was already in the chapel of rest...and thats just the start of my story!
Love you dad Maria
Loosing someone so close is mean`t to get easier in time...believe me it just gets harder! Not only have i lost my mum, but i feel like ive lost my dad too.
Travelled down to Bromley from Plymouth to visit my mum in hospital in 2003. When i saw her she was already in the chapel of rest...and thats just the start of my story!
Love you dad Maria
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