'We did everything right', says hospital after death of patient with coronavirus in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes hospital has defended itself and assured local people that "all national guidance" was followed in the case of the elderly patient who died after testing positive for coronavirus.

In a statement released this afternoon, a hospital spokesman said the guidance included when to test and when to isolate patients to prevent the possible spread of infection.

"We have stringent infection control protocols in place and are working closely with national agencies, including Public Health England, to ensure we are doing everything possible to safeguard all those using the hospital at all times," he said.

"We are supporting Public Health England to undertake extensive contact tracing to identify those people who may have been in close contact with the patient who tested positive for COVID-19. We have provided those people with appropriate health advice, according to Public Health England guidance.

The spokesman added: "Guidance changes week-to-week given the evolving nature of COVID-19 in England, and we keep abreast of all updates.

The statement came as it was revealed the patient, who was 83, went to the hospital's A&E department on Monday night and was assessed at around 9pm.

His initial clinical presentation and history, including his recent cruise around the Caribbean, did not indicate he was at risk of COVID-19. and he was put on a public ward.

"As soon as the patient’s clinical presentation changed, he was reassessed against this guidance; tested for infections including COVID-19and isolated as a precautionary measure whilst the results of those tests were awaited," said the statement.

The man died on Thursday night.

His family have today issued their own statement, through the hospital, describing the "nightmare" they are going through.

They said: We as a family have lost a truly loving and wonderful person and are trying to come to terms with this. He was 83-years-old and a wonderful husband, dad, grandad

and great-grandad who would go to any lengths to support and protect his family.

"We can confirm that he was admitted to hospital on Monday and after observations the decision was made to remove him from the ward as a precaution to carry out

more intensive tests.

"On Thursday evening it was confirmed that our loved one tested positive for coronavirus. He passed away shortly after being advised that he tested positive,

with us all present at the hospital with him. Whilst he may have tested positive for having the virus, it has not been confirmed what the cause of his death was.

"As he has tested positive, we as a family have been tested and told to self-isolate as a precaution.

"This whole nightmare is not something that we or our loved one asked for. As we are in isolation currently, we cannot arrange for him to be put to rest and with all the

activity that is going around with regards to everyone’s concerns, we cannot grieve him as we would wish to.

"People should perhaps put themselves in our shoes and think how would they feel with some of the hurtful comments that are being made. We would not wish this

experience on anyone and we would ask that you have respect for us and allow us to grieve.