Urgent review after man's Princess of Wales Hospital death

We are deeply saddened to report the death of a patient in the Emergency Department of the Princess of Wales Hospital on 16th January. We wish to express our sincere condolences to the patient’s family.

The patient was admitted to the department at 11 am, and two hours later became suddenly very unwell. Despite efforts by staff to resuscitate him, he later died.

Prior to being admitted to the department, the patient was in an ambulance, attended by paramedics, for over four hours.

The Princess of Wales Hospital Emergency Department was extremely busy at the time, and unfortunately there were delays admitting patients as a result.

The patient was assessed by a doctor while in the ambulance.

The Coroner has been informed of his death, and the Health Board is carrying out an urgent review of the case to ascertain what lessons can be learned, and if this very sad death could have been avoided. It is too early at this stage to comment any further.