An ongoing inquest is investigating the death of Brenda Chapman, aged 92, who passed away at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital after receiving care on a virtual ward. The case has raised questions about the care provided and the hospital’s remote monitoring system.
An inquest is ongoing at Norfolk Coroner’s Court into the death of 92-year-old retired factory worker Brenda Chapman, who died at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (N&N) in November 2023. Mrs Chapman, a resident of Sussex Street in Norwich, was admitted to the hospital on 21 November with symptoms of recurrent abdominal pain and shortness of breath. She died two days later on 23 November.
Prior to her hospital admission, Mrs Chapman had been receiving treatment on a virtual ward, a healthcare service provided by the N&N Hospital aimed at monitoring patients remotely to avoid hospital admissions and reduce pressure on inpatient beds. The virtual ward utilises technology known as Feebris to monitor patients either continuously or intermittently, depending on their medical needs. The service supports the management of intravenous antibiotics, dressing changes, blood tests, and diagnostic procedures, enabling patients who do not require physical inpatient beds to be cared for at home. The virtual ward has been in operation since 2021 and has cared for thousands of patients.
At an initial inquest opening hearing in January 2024, area coroner Samantha Goward outlined that the death had been referred to the coroner by a medical examiner due to potential concerns relating to neglect or self-neglect. The cause of death was identified as aspiration resulting from an oesophagus full of gastric contents, which may have been linked to a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube that had been placed. Coroner Goward stated, “It’s a matter that’s been under investigation.”
Family members of Mrs Chapman have since expressed concerns regarding the care she received, prompting an adjournment of the court proceedings to allow for further information gathering. Coroner Goward noted at a recent brief hearing that the family had additional questions following their review of some of the evidence. She confirmed, “We are now gathering further information in relation to this case.” The full inquest is scheduled to take place on 3 November 2024.
The case continues to draw attention to the virtual ward model of care used by the Norwich hospital, which aims to provide urgent and emergency care at home to appropriate patients. The hospital states that all virtual ward patients are discussed during a consultant ward round to ensure comprehensive oversight.
The Eastern Daily Press is reporting on the developments of the inquest as it proceeds.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://qoshe.com/eastern-daily-press/donna-louise-bishop/investigation-under-way-as-woman-dies-after-being-treated-on-nn-virtual-ward/180288913 – This article supports the ongoing investigation into Brenda Chapman’s death at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital after being treated on a virtual ward.
- http://www.wcremembered.co.uk/updates.html – While not directly related to Brenda Chapman’s case, this URL shows reports of recent deaths in the region, highlighting the presence of news reporting on local health and hospital updates.
- https://nnuhnursesleague.co.uk/obituaries/rip.html – This source provides information on the historical context of nursing at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, indirectly relating to its current healthcare services.
- https://www.abbottfunerals.co.uk/obituaries/ – This URL lists obituaries but does not directly relate to the inquest or hospital service. It serves as a general example of how local news might report on regional deaths and obituaries.
- https://www.noahwire.com – As the source article’s origin, it supports the details about Brenda Chapman’s inquest and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital’s virtual ward service.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative discusses recent events and ongoing investigations, indicating it is up-to-date. The inquest is scheduled for November 2024, showing the case is still unfolding.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Coroner Samantha Goward’s quotes are attributed to specific hearings, suggesting they are authentic. However, no prior online references could be found to verify them independently.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The Eastern Daily Press is a local, established publication, which generally lends credibility. However, it may not hold the same weight as national outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative plausibly describes an ongoing legal and medical investigation, aligning with potential issues in healthcare and the use of virtual wards.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears fresh and relevant, with plausible claims about an ongoing inquest. Quotes are attributed to a specific source but lack independent verification. The narrative originates from a reliable local publication, contributing to its overall plausibility.
