An NHS trust has admitted liability for a woman’s death after it took hospital medics nine hours to diagnose her life-threatening condition.  

Jane Mason, 73, died after there were delays in diagnosing a perforated bowel and recognising signs that she had developed sepsis. 

She was admitted to Peterborough City Hospital by ambulance complaining of severe abdominal pain and with difficulties passing urine. 

A nurse assessed Mrs Mason who was deemed to be at low risk of having sepsis despite showing two red flag symptoms for the condition.  

The Hunts Post: Mrs Mason was admitted to Peterborough City Hospital in March 2021.Mrs Mason was admitted to Peterborough City Hospital in March 2021. (Image: Chris Radburn / PA Archive / PA Images)Medics initially suspected the grandmother had a water infection and inflamed pancreas.   

Just over four hours after being admitted, Mrs Mason was reviewed by a consultant who believed she may have constipation and requested a bladder scan.

An NHS investigation found there was then a four-hour delay with informing the consultant of the scan results which showed the perforated bowel.  

Mrs Mason, a retired nursery nurse, from Oundle, near Peterborough, underwent emergency surgery. 

But she had developed sepsis and her condition continued to deteriorate.  

Her widower Andrew, 74, is calling for lessons to be learned and warns of the dangers of sepsis.    

He said: “When Jane started complaining of being sick, in pain and being shivery I knew something was wrong as she never complained or exaggerated things.  

“Twice during the time she was in hospital I was told by doctors that she was fit for her age.  

“To this day we as a family all struggle to understand how Jane seemingly deteriorated so drastically.  

“A few days earlier we had been out walking together and I couldn’t comprehend that she had suddenly gone.  

“Jane was my best friend and life without her will never the be the same for any of us. There’s not a day goes by where we don’t think about her.”  

He added: “I know the surgical and intensive care teams did everything they could for Jane and I can’t thank them enough.   

“However, it remains difficult to accept the treatment Jane received in the A&E department where she was left for hours in pain with her condition deteriorating.

“Our family have been through a tremendous amount of pain over the last two-and-a half years.  

“It remains difficult not to think Jane’s death shouldn’t have happened and how she should still be with us.” 

The Hunts Post: Jane Mason, from Oundle, near Peterborough, with her dog Daisy. Jane Mason, from Oundle, near Peterborough, with her dog Daisy. (Image: Provided by Irwin Mitchell)Mrs Mason was admitted to Peterborough City Hospital on 21 March, 2021.  

Her inquest concluded that “delays in diagnosing and treating sepsis and a bowel perforation probably contributed more than minimally to her death”.      

The North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust - which runs the hospital and also Hinchingbrooke Hospital, in Huntingdon – admitted liability and has apologised to the family.  

It also admitted delays in diagnosing her perforated bowel and sepsis, and accepted that this contributed to her death.    

Dr Callum Gardner, the trust’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “We send our sincerest sympathies to Mr Mason and his family.  

"The trust investigated the care that was provided to Mrs Mason following her admission and accepts that there was a delay in making the correct diagnosis.   

“A number of recommendations from the report have been implemented and at a recent inquest the coroner was reassured by the actions taken."  

The Hunts Post: Dr Callum Gardner, Chief Medical Officer at the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.Dr Callum Gardner, Chief Medical Officer at the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust. (Image: North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust)Mr Mason instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his wife’s care.  

Amie Minns, their lawyer, said after the inquest: “Worrying failings have been admitted by the trust regarding delays in recognising Jane’s perforated bowel and sepsis which contributed to her death.  

“While nothing can make up for their loss we’re pleased that we’ve at least been able to provide her family with the answers they deserve.”

Sepsis is a condition which sees the body attack itself in response to an infection.

Signs of sepsis include slurred speech, confusion, extreme shivering and muscle pain, passing no urine in a day, severe breathlessness and mottled or discoloured skin.