Investigation Reveals Fatal Delays in Administering Parkinson’s Medication in A&E

A report highlights systemic failures in emergency care after an elderly Parkinson’s patient missed critical doses during a prolonged hospital stay.

An 85-year-old Parkinson’s patient died weeks after missing seven doses and receiving three late doses of time-critical medication during a 52-hour wait in A&E.
The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) identified severe lapses in communication, staff training, and medication management at the hospital.
The patient’s condition deteriorated after spending 44 hours on a bed in a hospital corridor, with limited access to his own medication and no system to ensure timely administration.
The HSSIB report underscores the risks of delayed medication for Parkinson’s patients, including irreversible damage and fatal outcomes, calling for urgent reforms in emergency care protocols.
Parkinson’s UK and medical professionals are urging NHS trusts to implement better training, e-prescribing systems, and processes to prioritize time-sensitive medication delivery.