Concerns over 'gaps' in records

Mr Stonestreet was admitted to Frenchay Hospital in 2007

A woman from Portishead has raised questions about record keeping standards at Frenchay Hospital near Bristol after her uncle died there.

Annette Hennessey discovered a 'do not resuscitate' order had been placed on Brian Stonestreet's bed, without her family's knowledge.

She has also claimed there was a failure to record how much fluid he was given before his death in 2007.

The hospital said Mr Stonestreet was given fluids before his death.

Mr Stonestreet, who had leukaemia, died two weeks after being admitted to Frenchay Hospital.

The Healthcare Commission upheld an original complaint by Ms Hennesey and her family who said they were not told Mr Stonestreet's heart would not be restarted if it stopped.

Ms Hennesey claims there are large gaps in Mr Stonestreet's patient records, particularly over how much fluid he was given in his final hours.

She told BBC News: "On the morning that we were called into the hospital to see my uncle we arrived and found no visible signs of fluid lines into him, which causes us great concern as he had C Difficile.

"We feel that he may well have been dehydrated. We have asked the trust to give us answers and as yet we have not received an answer."

A hospital spokesman said he could not comment on the case in detail but added records confirmed that Mr Stonestreet received fluids towards the end of his illness.

In response to a complaint, the trust has sent Ms Hennesey a report based on a sample of 20 patient records. It indicates some forms were not fully completed on occasion.

It says that fluid levels were documented by nurses just 75% of the time and adds the names and doses of drugs administered were only recorded 30% of the time.

Ms Hennesey said: "The name of the drugs and dose to me would be a really crucial aspect of care and the lack of information on my uncle's care plan was certainly criticised by the Healthcare Commission."

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