Family Claims Bristol Royal Infirmary Left Her To Die After Five Cancelled Surgeries

Bristol, UK — The family of Sarah Crowley, who died after five scheduled surgeries at Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) were cancelled, according to The BBC media publication, has accused the hospital of negligence, claiming that the delays directly led to her death. The 67-year-old grandmother passed away in May 2023, a death her family describes as “heartbreaking and avoidable”.

Sarah Crowley, a resident of Yeovil, was diagnosed with choroidal malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of eye cancer, in 2016. Following her diagnosis, she underwent various treatments, but in 2021, scans revealed that the cancer had metastasized to her liver. Her medical team referred her for surgery at the BRI in August 2021.

Despite the urgent nature of her condition, Crowley faced a series of cancellations. Five surgeries were scheduled between August and October 2021, but each one was cancelled, with three being cancelled after she had already been admitted to the hospital. These repeated delays, her family believes, contributed to the progression of her cancer and ultimately, her death.

At a public board meeting of the University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Trust (UHBW), Verity Tebby, Crowley’s sister, made an emotional plea for systemic changes to prevent future tragedies. “Sarah’s death was not just a personal loss to our family but a profound failure of the healthcare system that should be held accountable,” Tebby stated. “No family should have to endure the heartbreak of watching a loved one suffer due to avoidable delays in critical medical care.”

Hospital officials have acknowledged the family’s distress and have issued a public apology. “We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering experienced by Mrs. Crowley and her family,” said Dr. Jonathan Smith, Medical Director at BRI. “We have conducted a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding her care and have implemented several improvements to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”

The case has sparked a broader discussion about the pressures faced by NHS hospitals, particularly in managing surgical schedules and resources. The BRI, like many other hospitals, has struggled with increasing demand and resource limitations, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent healthcare crises. However, critics argue that these systemic issues cannot excuse the failure to provide timely and necessary care to patients in critical need.

Sarah Crowley’s family is now considering legal action, citing negligence and systemic failures. They hope their pursuit of justice will lead to meaningful changes within the NHS. “This is not about assigning blame to individual doctors or nurses, who are doing their best under challenging conditions,” Tebby explained. “This is about ensuring the system supports them to provide the care patients desperately need and deserve.”

The UHBW Trust has pledged to continue working on improving patient care and reducing wait times for surgery. Measures include increasing staffing levels, better resource allocation, and enhanced communication protocols to prevent last-minute cancellations.

As the investigation into Sarah Crowley’s case continues, her family remains committed to advocating for improvements in the healthcare system, hoping to turn their personal tragedy into a catalyst for positive change. “Sarah was a loving mother and grandmother, and she deserved better,” said Tebby. “We owe it to her and others like her to make sure this never happens again.”