A widow was left to care for her dying husband by herself and forced to watch as health trusts failed to treat a gangrenous toe.

Sheena Sefiani, of Chasefield Road, Tooting, has received official apologies from two hospital trusts but is pursuing her GP surgery after her complaints were upheld by the ombudsmen.

Abdel Sefiani, 60, suffered from polycystic kidney disease for 10 years.

When his health deteriorated in August 2011 Mrs Sefiani was shocked to find he was not referred to Trinity Hospice by her GP of 22 years.

Mr Sefiani was also left to suffer with a gangrenous toe after St George's hospital and St Helier hospital refused to treat it.

Mrs Sefiani pleaded for it to be treated after a doctor noted it was gangrenous during renal treatment but neither hospital would as it was not in their department.

Without the help of Trinity Hospice she had to organise his own commode, while he was confined to living in the front room as he could no longer walk up stairs.

Three days before he died on June 16, 2012 he was finally referred for help from Trinity Hospice and community nurses came to the house.

Mrs Sefiani, 58, said: "I don't want it to happen to anyone else, he suffered so much. I was up in the night helping him, he couldn't get up the stairs."

After the ordeal Mrs Sefiani submitted her official complaints.

St George's and St Helier, apologised earlier this year including a £500 donation to the polycystic kidney disease charity from St George's Hospital.

The health ombudsman has now recommended Dr HM Freeman and Partners, Tooting, officially apologise and prepare an action plan regarding the case.

Case worker Chris Puddephatt, said: "Mr Sefiani should have been considered for end of life care or placement on the GSF register in January 2012.

"The failing and all of the above shortcomings caused unnecessary stress and discomfort to Mr Sefiani and anxiety to Mrs Sefiani. Mrs Sefiani is still suffering from the effects of this."

A spokeswoman from NHS England London region said: "We are very sorry to hear about Mrs Sefiani's concerns, and offer our deepest sympathy following the loss of her husband.

"We are unable to comment on individual patient cases due to patient confidentiality, however if Mrs Sefiani would like to make a formal complaint to NHS England it will be fully investigated."

 

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