Probe after man sent home from hospital dies

A FAMILY has lodged a formal complaint against Royal Bolton Hospital after a man died at home hours after being discharged.

Schizophrenic Michael Bilinkewycz was discharged by doctors after being referred to the hospital by his GP because of breathing difficulties and fainting attacks.

Hours later he was found dead in his stairwell, killed by a massive pulmonary embolism.

Although doctors at the hospital told a Bolton inquest yesterday that the 35-year-old's death would have been almost impossible to predict, they admitted that the circumstances of his death were "tragic and regrettable".

His aunt, Mrs Vera Cross, has lodged a complaint with Royal Bolton Hospital, furious that their procedures allowed her mentally ill nephew to return home alone late at night.

After the inquest, Mrs Cross said: "I've lodged a complaint with the hospital and it's being investigated.

"The hospital had all my details on file, but I didn't hear that he had been discharged until the next morning. I can't understand why I wasn't contacted."

Mr Bilinkewycz, of the Croft, Haydock Street, Bolton, was referred to the hospital by his GP after a short history of periodic breathing problems and a small number of fainting attacks. On the day he was admitted to hospital, he had suffered two such attacks, the inquest heard.

Doctor Ian Dunn examined the patient's chest and briefly asked him about his history, but did not check any notes or records that were kept on file at the hospital. Mr Bilinkewycz's had a history of mental health problems and, 13 years ago, underwent a liver transplant following an overdose of tablets.

After just an hour in Dr Dunn's care, Mr Bilinkewycz was sent home alone at 9.30pm on March 6, last year, without being asked if he was capable of finding his own way home, the doctor said.

Dr Dunn said: "We would request the records if we weren't happy about the patient's well being.

"I was of the impression that he gave me a clear and concise history himself. There was not particular cause for concern.

"I reassured him that he would be brought back in as an out-patient and he displayed no great concern."

Dr Dunn said he understood that Mr Bilinkewycz had made his own way to the hospital and said he had no reason to doubt that he would return home safely.

Pathologist David Bisset said Mr Bilinkewycz's breathing problems and blackouts -- which dated back to the summer of 2002 -- were probably caused by smaller embolisms and went on to say that his death would have been very sudden.

District coroner Jennifer Leeming said she would write to the hospital to ask what changes would be made to discharge procedures for vulnerable patients.

She said: "One accepts that any death which occurs in such circumstances is not something you would want to happen. Nevertheless, we have to remember that he did get home.

"It seems to me that if people have mental health problems, one should consider the possibility that they should be asked if they can get home all right."

Mrs Leeming recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.