Hospital delay 'did not contribute' to patient's death

A coroner has concluded that a patient who was forced to wait more than four hours in an ambulance outside a hospital did not die because of the delay.

Michael Bowen died at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, South Wales, in January.

The coroner, Andrew Barkley, concluded his death was caused by thrombosis of his liver, which led to a seizure.

Recording a narrative verdict, he said: "I don't believe on balance the delay made any significant difference to the ultimate outcome.

"It does not appear the delays, as unsatisfactory as they were, caused or contributed to his death."

He said he was satisfied the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board had taken steps to ensure similar incidents could not happen again.

The solicitor for Mr Bowen's family said the verdict was not a surprise based on the evidence, and that they drew comfort from the lessons that have been learnt by the hospital.