An 89-year-old woman died just days after having surgery

Joan Constance Oliver, 89, of New Road, Tadley, died at North Hampshire and Basingstoke Hospital on February 14, 2021 after sustaining injuries from a fall at home.

At an inquest today (Thursday, April 15), Portsmouth Coroner's Court heard that Joan passed away from chronic heart failure after living a ‘full life’.

A statement from her GP confirmed that in the last few years Joan had become ‘increasingly frail and unsteady on her feet’.

The 89-year-old received twice weekly help from carers to help her with day-to-day activities such as washing, housework, cooking and personal hygiene after being diagnosed with heart failure.

On January 4, Joan suffered a fall whilst getting out of her chair to answer the phone, she fell onto her front right-hand side and an ambulance was called to her address at 11am.

When paramedics attended the property, Joan was found alert with no obvious significant injures or blood loss but after stating she had 10 out of 10 pain, medics administered pain relief and took her to the accident and emergency department at North Hampshire hospital.

An X-ray showed that Joan had fractured her left femur and her condition deteriorated whilst in hospital.

Joan required oxygen and her family were informed she was ‘critically unwell’ and was not suitable for surgery.

After several more days in hospital, Joan’s condition began to improve and her orthogeriatric consultant reported that she was complaining of ‘significant pain’ despite anaesthesia.

Her sudden improvement meant that she was now a candidate for surgery to help with the pain and to ensure she would not be bed bound and improve her quality of life.

After discussing the risk of surgery with both Mrs Oliver and her family, it was decided surgery should go ahead and on February 12 she went to the operating theatre.

Unfortunately, Joan did not recover well from surgery and developed type 2 respiratory failure, she sadly passed away on February 14.

The cause of death was ruled as heart failure, with the fractured left femur being a contributory factor alongside other health conditions such as chronic kidney disease and hypotension.

Family member Robert Leggett said Joan ‘enjoyed holidays, walking and her garden’ after her beloved husband bob passed away in 1998 she continued to live an active life and worked at the local Marks and Spencer’s for 28 years.

Coroner Wilkinson concluded the inquest by stating: “Mr Oliver lived a full life with a full family around her. She was an active part of the community and had a number of friends with whom she spent a significant amount of time.

“Sadly, on the morning of January 4, at approximately 10.45 in the morning, she fell to the floor in her property whilst mobilised to answer her phone.”

Her death was ruled as ‘accidental’ in relation to the fall on January 4, despite health conditions such as heart failure being naturally arising.

Coroner Wilkinson extended his sincere condolences to Mrs Oliver’s family.