AN investigation has been launched after claims a grandfather died due to “neglect” by Basildon Hospital.

The family of Fredrick Rendall believe the 88-year-old died after being irresponsibly discharged from the hospital when he was in desperate need of care.

Thurrock Gazette: Basildon Hospital: Measures such as enhanced cleaning have been put in place

Grandson Tom Waters claimed in March an ambulance was called and Fredrick was admitted to the Osler ward as he was not drinking or eating.

He said: “At no point whilst on this ward did any doctor speak to our family to discuss his health issues and after two days of having no information, the ward arranged his discharge when he was nowhere near well enough to be discharged, complaining of chest pains, not able to walk or stand and not drinking.

“The only time a nurse would come round was to do his observations and to give him his food.

No home assessment was made to see how my gran could cope moving forward.”

Mr Rendall was discharged on March 21 with a letter stating he had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia.

Mr Waters said: “We couldn’t believe what we were reading.

We were never told any of this and he wasn’t treated or given any care plans.

“He was home only 12 hours before my gran called for an emergency doctor, grandad couldn’t move and was wheezing. The doctor called for an emergency ambulance, telling us that this was clearly a failed discharge and that he needed to go into hospital.”

Mr Rendall was transferred to the Marjory Warren ward, where on March 25 he sadly passed away.

Devastated, Tom explained: “It’s been so horrible, he was taken away just like that, and we believe that his early discharge was the main reason he died, we’re looking to sue the NHS.

“Our family are completely up in the air and we haven’t been able to move forward while we wait for the autopsy to determine the cause of death. We’ve had no death certificate and he’s been gone five weeks.

“We didn’t even have a courtesy call from the complaints department after I contacted them, all they’ve said is that they’re aware and that it’s being investigated.”

A spokesperson from Basildon Hospital said: “We wish to express our deep regret at the tragic death of Mr Fredrick Rendall and offer our condolences to his family. We are carrying out a full review of the care and treatment in regards to the concerns raised.

"We are in touch with his family and keeping them updated on progress. As this is an ongoing investigation we cannot comment further.

“We would like to again express our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Rendall’s for their sad loss.”