A tragic incident has been brought to light following an inquest revealing the heartbreaking story of a man who died days after being sent home from the hospital. Matthew Charnock, aged 35, was fatally injured in an assault by his girlfriend’s ex-husband, Steven Cotterill, in 2016. The assault left Mr. Charnock with a fractured skull after being struck over the head with a wheel brace. Despite being rushed to Whiston Hospital in the Merseyside area, Mr. Charnock was tragically sent home after two nurses mistakenly recorded him as alert and slightly confused.
Mr. Charnock’s parents, Jean and Terry, fondly described their son as “a cheeky chappy who loved a prank.” The following day, Mr. Charnock was found unresponsive and taken back to the hospital. Sadly, he passed away three days later due to complications from sepsis. Cotterill was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in prison after claiming he acted in self-defence.
For eight years, Mr. Charnock’s parents have been advocating for accountability for the failings at the hospital. The inquest, held at Cheshire Coroners’ Court, determined that neglect by triage nurse Stephanie Keelan and nurse practitioner Paul O’Brien contributed to Mr. Charnock’s death. Despite not facing criminal charges, their actions were deemed negligent.
Mr. Charnock’s mum expressed her dismay over the lengthy process of seeking justice for her son. The family’s persistence led to a thorough investigation, culminating in the coroner’s ruling that neglect was a contributing factor in Mr. Charnock’s death. The Charnocks hope for more accountability in the future, aiming to bring about positive change in hospital procedures.
Reflecting on her son’s character, Mrs. Charnock remembered him as an accountant who also devoted time to voluntary work, a cheerful individual who cherished fun and hard work. She highlighted how changes were implemented at Whiston Hospital following Mr. Charnock’s passing. The Mersey West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust extended their condolences to the family and acknowledged the failings in Mr. Charnock’s care, emphasising that lessons have been learned to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
This heart-wrenching saga serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of accountability and quality care in healthcare settings, urging for improvements to prevent similar lapses in the future.