Man with fatal illness in 36 hour corridor wait
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Man with fatal illness in 36-hour corridor wait
Tragic Case Highlights NHS Pressures
The widow of a 66-year-old man who died from encephalitis has spoken out about the care he received at a hospital in Cheshire. Tom Frith spent 36 hours in a corridor bed after arriving at A&E with flu-like symptoms.
His wife, Julia Frith, believes the delays and environment contributed to his deteriorating condition. She has now instructed lawyers to investigate possible medical negligence.
The incident occurred at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, run by Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It has drawn attention to ongoing issues with emergency department overcrowding.
Tom Frith's Background and Initial Admission
Tom Frith, from Knutsford, was an active man who had recently attended the Isle of Man TT Races. A week later, he developed symptoms including a high temperature and unsteadiness on his feet.
On 14 June 2025, he was admitted to the A&E department at Leighton Hospital. Staff initially suspected delirium caused by an infection.
He was placed in a corridor bed due to lack of space. This situation persisted for more than 36 hours while his condition worsened.
Overnight Deterioration and Suspected Stroke
Overnight, Tom's health declined further. Hospital staff discussed the possibility that he might be having a stroke.
Despite this serious concern, there was a delay of more than seven hours before a doctor could assess him properly. He remained in the corridor throughout this period.
Julia Frith recalled staff apologising for the wait, explaining it was linked to the introduction of a new computer system that was causing disruptions.
Family Concerns During the Corridor Stay
Julia described the A&E department as overwhelmed. She noted that even with suspicions of a stroke, Tom was left unattended in the corridor for 36 hours.
At one point, she briefly left the hospital but returned to find him standing, distressed, with his ID bracelet torn off. Staff helped clean and change him after this episode.
A doctor eventually prescribed antibiotics while he was still in the corridor, suspecting an infection. He was moved to a cubicle only after about 36 hours.
Categories: Medical Negligence, NHS Pressures, Encephalitis Awareness, Patient Safety
Keywords: Tom Frith, Julia Frith, Leighton Hospital, 36-hour corridor wait, encephalitis death, A&E delays, stroke suspicion, Mid Cheshire NHS Trust
Progression to Diagnosis and Treatment
A day after moving to a cubicle, an X-ray confirmed Tom had a chest infection. His condition continued to decline over the following days.
Six days after admission, he was transferred to the intensive care unit. Tests there confirmed encephalitis, a serious inflammation of the brain.
Despite receiving treatment for the condition, doctors informed the family that recovery was unlikely. After about a month in hospital, he was moved to palliative care.
Tom Frith passed away on 27 July 2025 from complications related to encephalitis. The family has highlighted the potential life-threatening nature of his initial symptoms.
Family's Call for Awareness and Accountability
Julia Frith expressed deep concern that Tom was failed by the system. She pointed out that a simple online search of his symptoms often flags encephalitis or similar serious conditions as possibilities.
She requested a transfer to the neurology unit at Royal Stoke University Hospital, but it was unavailable due to capacity issues. The family now seeks answers through a legal claim.
Julia aims to raise public awareness of encephalitis to help prevent similar tragedies. She believes better recognition of symptoms could make a difference.
Official Response from the Hospital Trust
Dr Clare Hammell, chief medical officer at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said patient safety is taken extremely seriously. The trust expressed sorrow for any distress caused to the family.
Due to the ongoing legal claim issued by the family through Leigh Day solicitors, the trust stated it would be inappropriate to comment on specific details of Tom's care or the allegations raised.
The trust confirmed it is cooperating fully with the legal process. It remains committed to learning lessons and improving care, including staff education on rare conditions like encephalitis.
Broader Context of Corridor Care in the NHS
This case reflects wider challenges in emergency departments across the UK. Overcrowding often leads to patients being cared for in corridors for extended periods.
Experts from organisations like Encephalitis International emphasise the importance of better awareness and training for healthcare professionals on conditions that can be misdiagnosed or delayed.
The family's experience underscores calls for systemic improvements to reduce delays and ensure timely assessments in overwhelmed A&E settings.
Categories: Medical Negligence, NHS Pressures, Encephalitis Awareness, Patient Safety
Keywords: Tom Frith, Julia Frith, Leighton Hospital, 36-hour corridor wait, encephalitis death, A&E delays, stroke suspicion, Mid Cheshire NHS Trust, corridor care
Medical Negligence
Medical negligence, also known as clinical negligence (particularly in the UK), occurs when a healthcare professional provides substandard care that falls below the reasonable standard expected of a competent practitioner in similar circumstances, directly causing harm or injury to a patient.To succeed in a claim, four key elements (often referred to as the “4 Ds”) must typically be proven:
- Duty of care — A doctor-patient or similar professional relationship existed, establishing that the healthcare provider owed the patient a duty to provide competent treatment.
- Breach of duty (or deviation from the standard of care) — The care provided was negligent, meaning it did not meet the accepted professional standards. This is assessed objectively, often with input from independent medical experts, rather than requiring “gold standard” treatment.
- Causation — The breach directly caused (or significantly contributed to) the patient’s injury or worsened condition. The harm must be more likely than not attributable to the substandard care.
- Damage — The patient suffered actual harm, which may include physical injury, psychological distress, financial loss, additional medical needs, or reduced quality of life.
Common examples include misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, incorrect medication, failure to obtain informed consent, or inadequate aftercare. Not every poor outcome or medical mistake constitutes negligence—only those deviating from reasonable professional standards and causing avoidable harm qualify.In the UK, claims are pursued through the civil justice system, often against the NHS or private providers, with the goal of securing compensation to address losses and support recovery. Medical negligence cases can be complex, requiring expert evidence and strict time limits for claims.
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