Hospital 'failed to monitor' overdose patient

Hospital staff failed to properly monitor a woman who died from cardiac arrest following an overdose, a coroner has ruled.

Nurses at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, also did not realise Susan Young had unused medication in her belongings when she died in August 2024.

Coroner Yvonne Blake said instructions to make sure the 63-year-old was attached to cardiac monitoring were not passed on when she was moved from an emergency ward.

Writing to the hospital she said she wanted to know what action it would take to prevent similar deaths in the future. The hospital has been approached for comment.

An inquest heard Miss Young had previously suffered various cardiac problems, including a heart attack.

She took an overdose of prescription medicine for her epilepsy on 22 August, then another the following day – after which she was taken to hospital.

But Ms Blake said while Miss Young's heart was monitored appropriately in the emergency department, nursing staff "did not give any handover and certainly no instructions about cardiac monitoring" when she was transferred to another ward.

She was later found unresponsive and attempts to resuscitate her failed.

The coroner said Miss Young had a chance to take another overdose, as staff found more of her medication in her belongings after she died.

However, it was not known if she had taken more drugs.

The James Paget has until 20 August to tell the coroner what plans of action it has put in place.

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