A Hornchurch woman died only days after being discharged from Queen’s Hospital, with a coroner concluding that the care she received in A&E was inadequate and that she should have been admitted.
Daisy Lyons, who had complex needs and depended entirely on her family and carers, was taken to Queen’s Hospital in Romford on 28 December with a severe, persistent cough.
She waited three hours before being seen and was then discharged with Piriton and codeine syrup, the inquest heard.
Five days later, the 31‑year‑old suffered respiratory arrest due to a severe chest infection, and she died on 2 January after treatment was withdrawn.
After hearing evidence from Queen’s Hospital doctors at East London Coroner’s Court on Friday (August 14), Dr Shirley Radcliffe concluded that “too many small things went wrong which resulted in the death of Daisy”.
The coroner said the treatment Daisy received at A&E was “inadequate” and that she should have been admitted for further treatment rather than discharged the same day.
“If she had been admitted, expert opinion was that it was more likely she would not have died at Queen’s Hospital on January 2,” Dr Radcliffe said.
Sandra and Terry Lyons have long maintained that Daisy’s death could have been prevented.
Sandra said she felt Daisy’s disabilities meant she was consistently treated as “bottom of the food chain” in A&E.
Terry said that, over the years, it had become clear to them that A&E doctors were often uncomfortable treating someone who was non‑verbal.
He said Daisy should still be alive today — laughing, giggling, and sitting out on the patio enjoying the sunshine.
Terry said he hopes Daisy’s death will lead to changes in how people with complex needs are treated in A&E departments.
Daisy had a long‑standing history of severe learning disabilities, scoliosis, dysphagia, and repaired congenital heart conditions.
She was non‑verbal and entirely dependent on a wheelchair.
Despite her complex needs, Sandra said Daisy had spent much of her life “happy and healthy.”
She travelled widely and loved swimming, as well as trips to the cinema, theatre, and fairgrounds.
Sandra said Daisy was “the apple of everyone’s eye,” adding that she had never known anyone more loved.
“She will be missed more than words can ever express.”
The inquest heard from three witnesses from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust – which runs Queen’s – and independent expert Professor Jerry Nolan, who is a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine.
The hospital’s standards are a matter of serious concern and warrant a full investigation, including unannounced spot checks.
I hope Daisy’s family consider pursuing a compensation claim against the hospital.
Queen’s Hospital need to urgently address these issues, because similar incidents are probably occurring daily.
Queen’s Hospital is a “nightmare”, and its ongoing problems demand urgent attention.
Hospitals should return to the era when matrons led their wards with dedication and pride. Families now often face long waits for assistance, while many nurses remain highly committed; overall standards are inconsistent and leave much to be desired.
The NHS as a whole is in serious trouble, with widespread pressures and systemic failings now impossible to ignore.
Patients are waiting hours just to be triaged, then facing further delays for assessment, and then waiting yet again for a bed — a pattern that is unsafe and systemic.
Demand had risen sharply, particularly from people unable to access GP appointments or urgent community care. As a result, A&E has become the default entry point for almost every type of health concern — from minor injuries to severe crises — overwhelming the system before patients even reached triage.
GPs need to actually see their patients instead of sitting behind their desks having a good old nose‑picking session — because at this rate, the only thing getting examined is their sinuses.
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