Having lost my husband last year, I feel compelled to write about his last hours in Whipps Cross Hospital.

Although I have written before about the excellent treatment I had received at this hospital, it seems to have failed my husband in the past.

On one occasion he was sent home from A&E with a water infection which was later diagnosed as a stroke. He ended up in hospital for 10 weeks.

On another occasion he was  in hospital for three months and had to wait five-and-a-half weeks for a diagnosis.

My children and I were increasingly worried as he was being transferred from one ward to another.

The care he had received while in hospital was faultless and the doctors and staff very caring.

Eventually we were told he was being discharged to a nursing home of our choice.

This happened on a very cold day; he was there for just four days and then rushed back to Whipps Cross very ill and with a temperature.

A doctor informed me about his condition and said they would make sure he was “free from pain” if he deteriorated.

I was “on call” all night but, unfortunately, the nurse on the ward where he was admitted had been ringing the mobile phone which was switched off during the night.

The home he was in rang me on the landline asking me to switch it on. Within a short time I received a call from the ward asking me to get there within half an hour as the day staff were due in next.

I asked how he was doing and she replied “He’s already passed away, just after 6am.”

She then repeated that we should get there soon as the body had to be cleaned and taken to the morgue! How insensitive is this?

I have since been trying to find anyone connected with his death but without success and therefore cannot make closure.

Maureen Perry Noye
Chingford Road
Walthamstow