THE widow of a man who died at Southend Hospital claims he was treated “worse than an animal” in the weeks before his death.

Maureen Perkins, 75, of Mildmayes, Langdon Hills, spoke out after an inquest ruled David Perkins’s death in the hospital was down to natural causes.

Mrs Perkins said her husband, a 72-year-old wildlife artist, had been badly let down by the care he received.

Mr Perkins was admitted to hospital in July 2009 to have his bladder removed, after being diagnosed with bladder cancer.

He remained in hospital through the summer and was moved into intensive care in September.

He died at the hospital on December 13 that year.

His family claim he was left in squalid conditions so poor his care was highlighted in a Patients’ Association report in 2010.

Mrs Perkins said: “He went into Southend Hospital and we were told there would every chance he would be cured. What they did was criminal. If you treated an animal like that you would be prosecuted. I won’t stop fighting for justice for my husband.”

The inquest found Mr Perkins died from a chest infection, which his family claim went unnoticed.

Bronco-pneumonia and bladder cancer were also listed as causes of death.

Solicitor Rupert Myers, acting on behalf of the family said Mr Perkins, who could not cough properly as he recovered from his bladder operation, was spluttering mucus on December 10.

This, he suggested should have been a warning sign, but, despite a doctor suggesting he be Xrayed, none was taken.

Mr Myers added: “Nothing was being done and he wasn't being Xrayed.

Nothing was being done to prevent the cause of his death.”

However, consultant Thomas Carr said his staff had been checking daily for signs of a chest infection and had treated him to prevent a chest infection.

He added: “It was a logical and well-thought-out plan. There is nothing that says the patient was very sick. I think people behaved in a reasonable way.”

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, coroner Eleanor McGann, told Mrs Perkins: “I know you have more concerns about the care of Mr Perkins, but I hope you understand they are not matters for this court.

“But it doesn’t mean they are not a matter for any court.”

NATIONAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTED HIS POOR CARE

DAVID Perkins’s care was highlighted in the 2010 Patients’ Association report, Listen To Patients – Speak Up for a Change.

The report speaks of a lack of help with eating and drinking, personal hygiene and going to the toilet, poor pain control and a lack of dignity and respect in his care.

In it Mrs Perkins says her husband was often left lying in faeces and urine. Two days before he died, she found him covered in vomit.

She is now looking to take the case to the Health Ombudsman, backed by the Patients’ Association. She said: “My husband was the most caring person I could wish to meet.

“He was an extremely talented artist selling his work through Southerby’s and Christie’s for thousands.

“I can’t bring my husband back, but if they think that standard of care is acceptable, then we need to look again. Contributing to his death, was cruelty, incompetence and neglect.”