Hospital left me fighting for life

Sep 12 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

A SOLIHULL mother-of-four claims she was left fighting for her life and was forced to have her intestine removed after medics told her there was nothing wrong.

Amanda Mahoney, of Tanford Road, Solihull, was diagnosed with routine bowel complaint but was told not to worry every time she raised concerns with doctors at Heartlands Hospital.

But months later when the pain got so bad, the 37-year-old took matters into her own hands, getting admitted into A&E, where she was transferred for an emergency operation.

Mrs Mahoney had to have her large intestine removed, needed a course of steroids and must now have reconstructive surgery.

"No-one gave me any information and even though I went down to six stone, the medical team kept telling me there was nothing to worry about," said Mrs Mahoney.

"In the end, I had to phone an ambulance and that's when they realised I was dehydrated and needed bags of blood urgently. Days later I had my large intestine removed. I now know I was at death's door and if I hadn't kicked up a fuss, who knows what would have happened?"

The patient has complained to Heartlands Hospital and watchdog The Healthcare Commission, which is investigating.

Mrs Mahoney, who lives with her 42-year-old builder husband Andy, with whom she has four sons - Connor, 12, Ashley, 16, and 21-year-old twins Dwain and Kirk - can no longer eat certain foods.

Everyday protein-packed foods like the skin of fruit such as apples, can cause havoc to her body.

"Hospital officials say I must have slipped through the net but I feel let down," added the former shop floor assistant. "They have ruined my life and I don't want this to happen to anyone else."

Doctors have warned Mrs Mahoney there is still six inches of diseased tissue in her digestive system that could not be removed and could cause problems in the future.

Lisa Dunn, a Heartlands Hospital director, said: "We are sorry to hear of Mrs Mahoney's concerns but I cannot comment on an individual patient's treatment. We endeavour to maintain the highest standards of patient care and take any complaint received very seriously."