A FORMER head of nursing died in the Oxford hospital she helped run, only a week after being admitted with cardiac failure that resulted from the side effects of steroids she had been prescribed, a coroner heard.
Elizabeth Stewart, 67, a retired director of nursing services at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, died on May 10 at the John Radcliffe Hospital “following a short admission,” the Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday.
Ms Stewart, of Park Close, was diagnosed last November with giant cell arteritis, which causes arteries, usually in the head and neck to become inflamed.
She was placed on steroid medication but it caused side effects, including a viral infection, said coroner Darren Salter.
Ms Stewart was initially admitted to a private hospital in Oxford, but was later transferred to the JR on May 2 “with worsening cardiac failure”, said the coroner.
She died eight days later. Her medical cause of death was “multiple organ failure”, said Mr Salter. The inquest into her death, pending further investigations into her medical treatment, has been adjourned until November 18.
Our top stories:
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here