THE family of a father-of-14 who died after being treated on an East Lancashire orthopaedic ward said a series of changes by hospital bosses would be his enduring legacy.

James Redmond, 87, from Burnley, died of bronchial pneumonia on Ward 22 at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, after being admitted following a fall outside his Eastern Avenue home.

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But an inquest into his death at Burnley Registrars Office heard that a number of aspects of his care fell below expected standards.

These included a lack of a mental health assessment, care planning, the state of his oral hygiene and being left in an unkempt state following his death.

East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor, after a two-day hearing, ruled that these did not cause the death of Mr Taylor, who had suffered delirium after undergoing an operation for a broken hip, and was a “challenging patient” for staff.

In evidence, the inquest heard that a number of improvements had been made at the Blackburn hospital.

These ranged from the recruitment of extra healthcare assistants to improved availability of mental health nurses and four-bed bays for more focused treatment on the ward.

Mr Taylor’s narrative verdict read: “James Patrick Redmond suffered a fall outside his home on November 29, 2012.

“He was admitted to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, where aspects of his care were open to criticism.

“He died on January 13, 2013, of bronchial pneumonia.”

Earlier Mr Redmond’s consultant, Dr Raymond Hyatt, had described his post-operative delirium as “one of the worst cases he had ever seen”.

His son, also called James Redmond and a former charge nurse, told the inquest how his family had encountered a lack of communication over their father’s treatment.

He added that they were upset when they found him in bed with a mucus-filled mouth.

They were also concerned that medication had not been administered properly.

The hearing was also told that family members were left distressed Mr Redmond was left leaning to one side with his mouth open after he died.

Trust staff have apologised for the oversight.

Nursing expert Irene Waters said it was apparent consistent efforts had been made to provide medication either orally and intravenously by staff.

But in his delirious state, Mr Redmond was often either drowsy or agitated, making such a process difficult, likewise with giving nutrition and water, the inquest heard.

Mrs Waters was critical, though, that a mental health assessment was not undertaken, which may have assisted nursing care, was not undertaken, even though it was known there were questions marks over Mr Redmond’s cognitive abilities on his admission.

Speaking after the case, his son James said the family was happy with the coroner’s conclusion regarding the death of his father, who also had 51 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“We can now regard this among his legacy, that his dying has improved the chances of other people, who find themselves in the same circumstances, of surviving because of the changes that the Royal Blackburn Hospital has now made,” he added.