A 93-year-old woman with dementia died after enduring a 'frightening' and prolonged wait for a hospital bed in a busy Accident and Emergency department, a coroner has concluded.
A 'Busy, Noisy and Frightening' Ordeal
Lina Piroli remained in the A&E department at Whittington Hospital in north London while experiencing significant pain, confusion and delirium, an inquest heard. Coroner Melanie Lee stated the elderly woman was left in a 'busy, noisy and frightening' environment which was detrimental to her care.
The inquest ruled that while Ms Piroli received immediate tests and treatment, her 'complex needs' were not seen by the hospital's geriatric team, who do not work in A&E. She also experienced delayed access to specialist nurses, robust symptom control, and coordinated care.
'A delay in transferring her to a ward was detrimental to optimising her chances of recovery,' the Coroner said in her report.
Systemic Failings Across the NHS
Coroner Lee highlighted that such distressing instances are not uncommon at the Whittington, across London hospitals, or throughout the wider UK. This points to a systemic issue within NHS emergency care for vulnerable, elderly patients.
Ms Piroli's ordeal began on 1 February when she was admitted to hospital feeling unwell. She was sent home in the early hours of 2 February with antibiotics for a suspected chest infection.
Later that same evening, she returned to A&E after falling down the stairs at home, fracturing her neck and spine. A test also revealed an E.coli infection. With no beds available in the hospital, a delirious Ms Piroli was forced to stay in A&E.
Final Weeks of Pain and Inadequate Care
After eventually being transferred to a ward, Ms Piroli continued to experience pain and difficulties with swallowing. She was unable to tolerate a hard neck collar and did not respond clinically to ongoing antibiotic treatment.
Lina Piroli died at Whittington Hospital on 20 February. The inquest into her death concluded on 4 December 2025.
Following the ruling, the coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report, ordering Whittington Hospital NHS Trust to take action within 56 days to address the failings identified.
An NHS England spokesperson said: 'NHS England extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Lina Piroli. We are carefully considering the Prevention of Future Deaths Report sent to us by HM Coroner and will respond in due course.'
