Former Chesterfield pub landlord died after fighting against 'overwhelming odds'

Kenneth Randall, who managed pubs including the Rose and Crown in Brampton, passed away aged 75 at Brookholme Croft Residential Home in Hasland on July 6, 2016.

Last week, a Chesterfield coroners' court inquest heard the 75-year-old died of septicemia, a serious bloodstream infection.

Coroner Kathryn Hayes concluded: "Mr Randall suffered a ruptured aorta in August, 2015.

"He survived the resulting stent procedure and a further repair in December, 2015.

"The rupture was probably caused by an infected penetrating ulcer, a very unusual presentation.

"Despite two successful operations and aggressive antibiotic treatment, the infection eventually proved overwhelming and led to untreatable septicemia."

After the inquest, Mr Randall's widow Jane said: "As a family we're relieved and pleased, after two-and-a-half years, to get answers to the questions we’ve been waiting for.

"We're immensely proud of the fight Ken put up against what we now know to be overwhelming odds."

Chesterfield Royal Hospital offers condolences

Mr Randall was a patient at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

A spokesperson for the Royal said: "We would wish to pass on our sincere condolences to Mr Randall's wife and family.

"We appreciate that after more than two years since their loss how difficult it must have been to listen to evidence about the circumstances of a loved-one's death during an inquest.

"In her verdict, the coroner reflected on points of learning around communication and information sharing. Mr Randall was a patient at both Chesterfield Royal Hospital and University Hospitals Derby and Burton, as we share a vascular service. When he was admitted to Chesterfield on one occasion he was unable to attend an appointment in Derby, although staff there were unaware he was in hospital.

"Like other hospitals across the country we are seeking better solutions to prevent these issues and we support the coroner's request to consider how we communicate information more effectively, so that patients' family members do not feel it is their responsibility.

"We have an opportunity to share ideas that can make pathways of care more seamless for patients and we hope Ms Randall and her family take some assurance from that."

Ms Randall added: "Hopefully communications can be improved in future so that if a patient has multiple problems and has been seen by multiple doctors at multiple surgeries or hospitals, the family aren’t left with the stress of being the conduit for that medical information."