A CORONER has called for changes to hospital procedure to ensure patients' families are notified if the decision is made not to resuscitate them.

Southampton and New Forest coroner Keith Wiseman heard how Joan Drew's son was not told of the instructions in her notes, because of a mix-up when she was moved between wards.

The 78-year-old, who lived at Boniface Crescent, Lordshill, Southampton, died ten days after being admitted to Southampton General Hospital in June.

An inquest into her death heard she arrived at hospital suffering from a severe fungal infection, a condition that doctors have reflected meant her death was virtually inevitable.

While in an assessment ward it was written in her notes that a decision had been reached not to resuscitate her, and that the family should be informed of this.

But when she was switched to a more isolated ward the notes were misinterpreted, and staff believed her son had been told.

The mix-up only came to light after her death and the hospital has since apologised to Mr Drew.

The inquest heard social services were concerend about the cleanliness of her flat. But Mrs Drew was opposed to leaving to allow it to be fully cleaned.

A GP subsequently diagnosed her severe fungal infections.

Mr Wiseman recorded a death from natural causes, contributed to by self neglect.

"She had lived a full and active life in many respects, and it's a very sad end for her and her family," he said.

"This was an important case because Mrs Drew was effectively admitted to hospital with a near terminal condition.

"There's no dispute that what could be done was done, but the main problem comes from a lack of correspondence with Mr Drew. The decision not to resuscitate is a very difficult situation, but one always to be shared with closest relatives before they are written down or acted upon.

"I would like to see the system double checked and a specific place be given on the patient's notes, designated for when this has been done or not."