Standish was 'heaven' (From Stroud News and Journal)

Standish was 'heaven'

A PATIENT who described Standish Hospital as "a little piece of heaven on earth" has died after what her daughter described as appalling treatment at Gloucester Royal Hospital. Cynthia Burgess died aged 57, earlier this month at Standish after doctors at GRH failed to correctly diagnose her illness.

Mrs Burgess, who lived in Gloucester, was admitted to GRH in October but was sent home after five weeks after doctors diagnosed a muscular skeletal bronchial infection which, she was assured, would 'settle down.'

But after only five days at home Mrs Burgess was admitted to Standish with severe breathing difficulties.

Her daughter Julie Burgess said: "Within five days of being at Standish she was correctly diagnosed with secondary cancer of the liver which had caused blood clots on her lung which is why she was short of breath.

"GRH completely ignored my mum's previous history of breast cancer and we were assured on two separate occasions she was cancer free."

Mrs Burgess's condition deteriorated and the cancer spread to her lungs and bones and her kidneys began to fail.

"My sister, Karen and I and my mum's twin Jennifer were able to stay in Standish for her final five days," said Julie.

"The staff are angels in disguise."

Mrs Burgess died on Tuesday, March 5 and now her daughter is appealing for Standish to be saved and has praised the unsung heroes who made her mother's final days so peaceful.

Just before she died, Cynthia Burgess wrote this about Standish: "At the moment I wake up everyday to an amazing view with a squirrel tapping on my window and the most peaceful, yet cheeriest of dawns, whatever the weather.

"I am surrounded by the most remarkable people 24 hours a day, seven days a week for which nothing is ever too much trouble...the paradise I have detailed above is Standish Hospital also known within my family as a little piece of heaven on earth."

Julie said: "The attitude of all the staff at GRH was frankly appalling. During her stay my mum was made to feel like an interruption and she was afraid to question her treatment or ask for assistance."

The family has yet to receive an explanation from GRH of Mrs Burgess's misdiagnosis despite having lodged a formal complaint with GRH in December.

On Tuesday a spokesman for the trust told the News & Journal: "The Trust extends its sympathies to the family.

"This was a complex case which involved several different teams all of which needed to be involved in order to investigate the complaint thoroughly.

"Mrs Burgess's family will receive the full report shortly."

At Standish however Julie said that her mother was cared for by the most passionate of people and said they were supported by all members of the hospital staff with endless compassion and patience.

Julie said: "I refuse to believe that anybody, fat cat boss, politician or otherwise can justify the closure of this haven which is nothing short of being the jewel in the Gloucestershire Royal NHS Trust's crown...it is completely senseless."