A WOMAN with learning disabilities who died at Basildon Hospital while awaiting tests on gallstones was not fed for five days, an inquest heard.

Autistic Phillipa Smith, 76, from Rectory Road, Pitsea, died of heart failure and pneumonia caused by a gallstone blocking her bile duct two weeks after being admitted with jaundice and breathing problems.

Miss Smith also had a problem swallowing food, wheat and dairy allergies, so should have immediately been passed to a specialist team for nutritional assessment, but was not referred for five days, Chelmsford Coroners Court heard.

Her sister, Catherine Butler- Smith, visited every day and tried in vain to speak to senior staff about her deteriorating condition.

The hospital carried out ultrasound, CT and MRI scans which established she had gallstones, but medics were not convinced theywere blocking the bile duct.

After several consultations, it was decided to carry out an endoscopic procedure on Monday, June 10 2013.

Routine procedures would not be done over a weekend, but she died at 10.25pm the night before.

The court heard she was on “nil by mouth” following admission on May 26 last year, but there was “no clear documentation” to show if anyalternative nutrition or hydration was given over the next four days. Even after being referred to the team, Miss Smith was initially fed by carers from her care home rather than hospital staff, but became unwell after nurses gave her an omelette containing milk.

Consultant Dr Jose Mullerat could not explain the lapse in record keeping.

Lack of communication from senior staff to patients and relatives was also raised by coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray after she heardMiss Smith’s sister had tried everyday to speak to a consultant.

Mrs Butler-Smith said: “I found the whole flavour of people working in the hospital at that time was they did not want to know – it was just awful.”

Mrs Beasley-Murray said: “I would like to echo what miss Butler-Smith said about communication.

“Over and over again this court hears similar comments.

Something must be put in place regarding communication.”

But Mrs Beasley-Murray recorded a verdict of death due to natural causes as it was the blocked duct which killed Miss Smith before surgeons could operate.

BASILDON Hospital apologised for the problems during the treatment, but said coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray was not critical of the care provided.

A hospital spokesman said: “We would like to send our condolences to the family of Miss Smith, along with our apologies for the frustration they experienced in contacting a doctor.

“We have a process for family members to speak to a patient’s doctor. We are sorry this did not happen and will be reminding ward staff of this procedure.

“Miss Smith was nil by mouth, due to ongoing clinical investigations.” The court heard the failure to refer her to the speech and language therapy department for her swallowing problem was investigated as a “near miss” clinical incident.

The court was told new procedures had been brought in, but the spokesman conceded there was another similar case last month. She said the trust was using colour-coded charts at the end of patients’ beds flagging up special dietry requirements.

The court also heard the hospital has changed the way it assesses the deterioration of patients.

A hospital spokesperson added: "The coroner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes and did not criticise the care we provided.

"Miss Smith was nil-by-mouth due to ongoing clinical investigations after being admitted as an emergency patient.

"Nil by mouth is a medical order which prohibits patients from being given food or drink orally because, for example, they may require surgery.

"It is not unusual for patients to be nil by mouth for long periods of time. During this period they are kept hydrated and may also receive nutrition via a drip.

"There was no suggestion during the inquest that the nil by mouth status in any way contributed to the sad outcome in this case."