Swansea family's two-year wait for mum's inquest

A SWANSEA woman has told how she has been forced to wait almost two years to find out why her mother died after a vital sample was mislaid.

Jacqueline Jones has spoken of her anguish at the delay into the hearing following the death of mum Cynthia Jones.

She says she was told by the coroner's office the inquest had not taken place because Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board had lost a blood sample.

The 83-year-old, of Ffordd Aneurin Bevan, Tycoch, died at Swansea's Morriston Hospital on January 15, 2011.

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Miss Jones, a dispensing assistant from the Uplands, said she was surprised at the hold-up, particularly as her mum had died suddenly after a fall.

"She said she had been well days earlier."

An Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board spokeswoman said it was unable to comment on the case but said it had supplied all the required information.

However, a spokesman for Swansea coroner's officer revealed a blood sample had been mislaid but it had been found and an inquest could be held.

Miss Jones said: "The Swansea coroner Philip Rogers called for an inquest. I was wondering why it has taken so long and I was surprised to have a phone call from him saying the delay was because the health board had lost the toxicology reports they had asked for."

She added: "My mum was taken by ambulance to Morriston A&E, only to be told there was no room so she remained outside the hospital in the ambulance for four hours. My mum spent many more hours waiting inside the hospital's A&E — she didn't get on to a ward until about midnight."

An Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board spokeswoman said: "We cannot comment on any information or evidence regarding an inquest, which is a legal hearing, as this would be sub judice.

"We can confirm all reports and information requested have been provided.

"However, we are aware of an earlier delay in processing some information. Any further queries should be directed to the coroner's office."

A coroner's office spokesman added: "The blood sample was mislaid and was then traced and sent off.

"We had the results back in August of this year and we needed to get statements from the medical staff of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board, which we have now received. We are in the process of arranging a hearing in the New Year."