Disabled woman with severe asthma dies after waiting 39 hours for hospital bed

In a heartbreaking incident, a 46-year-old woman – who was disabled and had asthma – died while sitting on a chair and waiting for a hospital bed for 39 hours.

Marina Young was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire after she complained of a headache and shortness of breath.

The doctors soon decided that the woman needed to be admitted, however, the hospital was full of patients and more than 50 patients were waiting for a bed in A&E.

However, the severity of the woman's condition was underestimated by the staff who did not give her specialist drugs and also did not take her to critical care or respiratory medics.

For two nights, Marina sat on a chair and the next day she collapsed and her clothes were soaked in her urine.

The woman suffered a cardiac arrest and failed attempts were made to resuscitate her. The hospital then informed her sister Michelle Young about the death of Marina.

Here's what the hospital's internal investigation found out...

The hospital carried out an internal investigation in which it was discovered that Young, who had spina bifida, may not have suffered a cardiac arrest if she had been given more timely treatment.

Speaking to MailOnline, retired hospital ward sister Michelle said, "Marina died in horrific circumstances.It is sickening to think that my sister could be treated with such a lack of compassion by the NHS, which is supposed to care for all people, irrespective of their physical limitations."

Marina was diagnosed with spina bifida because of which she faced mobility problems from childhood. In the United Kingdom, she was the first baby who had undergone a bladder transplant.

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She was taken by Michelle the Royal Preston because she was suffering from an asthma attack and felt wheezy.

Michelle informed them about the medical history of her sister to nurses, however, she was not allowed to stay in the hospital due to COVID-19 restrictions.

After the investigation, it was found that a doctor had checked Marina around 9:00 pm and just before 11:00 pm (local time)on June 20, when they decided to admit her.

(With inputs from agencies)