THE family of a World War Two hero yesterday blasted hospital staff who left him to die of THIRST.
David Game, 87, suffered kidney failure after medics failed to give him enough water after hip replacement surgery.
Nurses did not even alert doctors when his blood was clogged with the waste chemical urea - a major symptom of dehydration.
And an inquest ruled that the failure of senior doctors to check on the great-grandfather "contributed heavily to his death".
David's furious relatives yesterday slammed his treatment.
Son-in-law Cliff Evans, 60, said: "It's an absolute disgrace that someone who fought for his country was let down so badly.
"David was virtually abandoned in hospital and died in a truly horrific manner because the staff couldn't do their job properly."
An inquest in Coventry heard the former Royal Navy petty officer - who also served in the Army and RAF - was admitted to Warwick Hospital last July.
The operation was a success and he was set to be discharged after three days.
But nurses, including several from agencies brought in to cover shortages, failed to monitor how much he was drinking - and did not tell doctors when he was showing signs of kidney failure.
David, of Leamington Spa, was transferred to intensive care but died after refusing dialysis.
Recording a narrative verdict, Warwickshire coroner Sean McGovern blasted hospital staff and management.
He said: "Staff kept inadequate and inconsistent notes. There were management failures. The fact senior doctors did not check Mr Game's condition sooner contributed heavily to his death.
"The hospital was neglectful in allowing Mr Game to dehydrate and this was the reason for his kidney failure, which caused fatal multiple organ failure."
David's daughter Pat Evans called his care "appalling".
She said: "It's so sad because dad always made sure he drank plenty of water.
"Yet he was allowed to dehydrate in hospital, the place where everyone was supposed to be looking after him."
Bosses at Warwick Hospital apologised "unreservedly".
A spokesman added: "We are always striving to improve and make sure the care we give is of high quality and meets guidelines."
But the Patients Association said Mr Game's death was another example of the NHS letting down the elderly.
Chief executive Katherine Murphy said: "Too many patients are being badly let down. It's a scandal."
Hospital let World War Two hero David Game die of thirst | The Sun |News|Campaigns|Our Boys
view picture of hubble telescope and the latest pictures it has taken at this link.
HubbleSite - Gallery
David Game, 87, suffered kidney failure after medics failed to give him enough water after hip replacement surgery.
Nurses did not even alert doctors when his blood was clogged with the waste chemical urea - a major symptom of dehydration.
And an inquest ruled that the failure of senior doctors to check on the great-grandfather "contributed heavily to his death".
David's furious relatives yesterday slammed his treatment.
Son-in-law Cliff Evans, 60, said: "It's an absolute disgrace that someone who fought for his country was let down so badly.
"David was virtually abandoned in hospital and died in a truly horrific manner because the staff couldn't do their job properly."
An inquest in Coventry heard the former Royal Navy petty officer - who also served in the Army and RAF - was admitted to Warwick Hospital last July.
The operation was a success and he was set to be discharged after three days.
But nurses, including several from agencies brought in to cover shortages, failed to monitor how much he was drinking - and did not tell doctors when he was showing signs of kidney failure.
David, of Leamington Spa, was transferred to intensive care but died after refusing dialysis.
Recording a narrative verdict, Warwickshire coroner Sean McGovern blasted hospital staff and management.
He said: "Staff kept inadequate and inconsistent notes. There were management failures. The fact senior doctors did not check Mr Game's condition sooner contributed heavily to his death.
"The hospital was neglectful in allowing Mr Game to dehydrate and this was the reason for his kidney failure, which caused fatal multiple organ failure."
David's daughter Pat Evans called his care "appalling".
She said: "It's so sad because dad always made sure he drank plenty of water.
"Yet he was allowed to dehydrate in hospital, the place where everyone was supposed to be looking after him."
Bosses at Warwick Hospital apologised "unreservedly".
A spokesman added: "We are always striving to improve and make sure the care we give is of high quality and meets guidelines."
But the Patients Association said Mr Game's death was another example of the NHS letting down the elderly.
Chief executive Katherine Murphy said: "Too many patients are being badly let down. It's a scandal."
Hospital let World War Two hero David Game die of thirst | The Sun |News|Campaigns|Our Boys
view picture of hubble telescope and the latest pictures it has taken at this link.
HubbleSite - Gallery
