A son claims he was “traumatised” after being accidentally warned by a hospital his mum was about to die.
Sheila Prime, 70, was admitted on Christmas Eve with a chest infection before being diagnosed with pneumonia.
On March 7, her son Tim received a call from Hull Royal Infirmary warning Sheila did not have long to live, and the hospital was preparing to stop treatment and feeding.
Gathering his family, he went into say goodbye to his “best friend”, when he was told a mistake had been made, Hull Live reported.
Tim said: “When I got the phone call I was absolutely devastated. My mum is my queen and I can't see my life without her.
"Whatever I've done, good or bad, she was always there for me. Anyone that has met her loves her, and she is such a popular lady.
"I have had a rough few months with my mental health, and this news was almost enough to tip me over the edge.
“I decided to stay strong for my siblings, and thank god I did."
The family claim they were told the doctor who called them had not seen their mum's medical records.
Tim said the family were "beyond angry" at the emotional turmoil and made a formal complaint.
Sheila moved wards immediately after the complaint, where she was then deemed fit for discharge to a local care home.
After only twelve hours she was moved back again as the home could not cater to her needs.
The family was later enraged again when she was given food which had not been minced, as she required.
Tim added: “When visiting mum in the hospital, and having a meeting with her social worker, a staff member gave my mum lunch; an omelette with peas. Due to mum having a level five diet, she needs all of her food mincing and mashing, and she has a red tray which means that she needs assistance with eating.
"I took a picture of the food she was given, which is clearly not cut up at all, and nobody stuck around to help her. As my mum can't speak due to her swallowing condition, I am very concerned about whether staff are avoiding her and not giving her the care she needs because we have put in a complaint."
A spokeswoman for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said, in response to the allegations: “We can confirm receipt of a complaint from Mr Prime relating to a member of staff’s conduct and communication, and we will respond directly to Mr Prime in due course."
"We are concerned to hear of further issues relating to his mother’s feeding and discharge arrangements, and would welcome a further conversation with Mr Prime in order that these additional concerns can be better understood and investigated."
