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Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 06 November 2008

Hospital defends care of woman, 88, who died as a result of fall

A FRIEND of an elderly woman who died after falling off a toilet in the Royal Free Hospital has criticised the medics who treated her.
Marietta Cohen, 88, was just about to be discharged from the Pond Street hospital in Hampstead when she died in August, a coroner’s inquest heard.
A curtain had been pulled around Mrs Cohen’s hospital bay and she had been given a buzzer by staff – but she was later found lying on the floor beside an upturned commode by her friend, Evelyn Kimchi.
Mrs Cohen had been admitted two weeks earlier after a fall at home.
Staff told St Pancras Coroner’s Court how Mrs Cohen, a retired clothing manufacturer, had used the commode without trouble during her stay and had visited the toilet without assistance.
During the chaotic inquest Ms Kimchi repeatedly interrupted witnesses while they were giving evidence.
She insisted Mrs Cohen, her friend for more than 35 years, had been neglected by the hospital and had been left lying on the floor for up to 30 minutes before she discovered her.
When asked by the coroner how she thought the nurses should have acted, Ms Kimchi said: “I would expect them to come in, see what happened, call the doctor, do something.
“Marietta was gasping for air like a fish. I’m still traumatised by what happened and the way they treated the patient.”
Several of Ms Kimchi’s questions were ruled out as “inappropriate” by coroner Dr Andrew Reid.
Staff nurse Caroline Cahill told the court: “If someone has high needs we’d assess their needs, but Mrs Cohen didn’t need someone to stay with her – she was compos mentis and able to call the bell.”
Dr Reid ruled Mrs Cohen, from Hendon, died from an accident after suffering a brain haemorrhage as a result of the fall.

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