A brother and sister who say their dad died due to a catalogue of medical mistakes have launched a campaign to get justice for other families in similar positions.
Kelly and Michael Trotter allege their dad Bill, 73, was misdiagnosed repeatedly by medical staff at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary when he was initially admitted in May 2024.
He died two months later after falling into a diabetic coma.
Bill has not yet been buried. His body is being held at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. Michael and Kelly believe it could provide answers they have been looking for for two years.
Michael and Kelly want an inquest to be carried out – but the coroner’s service has said the circumstances around his death did not meet the threshold which requires coroners to investigate deaths which may be unnatural, violent or have an unknown cause.
The siblings have spent almost two years looking into the circumstances around the death of their dad and said new information had come to light in the last few months.
The case has now been referred to the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, who is the chief legal officer to the crown. He will decide if an inquest should be held.
A letter from the pair’s solicitor was sent to the Attorney General yesterday, alleging that material evidence had not been properly assessed, key issues remained unresolved and the threshold for investigation had been properly met.
Their high-profile campaign has led to people getting in touch with concerns around the treatment of their families in the NHS and now the pair are prepared to help others fight.
Kelly said: “That’s what we’re calling it, a campaign, it’s justice for Bill Trotter and justice for all and it’s getting momentum now.
“We want as many people to come forward as possible with their stories. I would go homeless to find out the truth about what happened.”
Michael added: “We are spearheading this campaign, and we are doing it because it is going to help other people facing similar situations.
“We want an inquest, it’s not about the money, it’s about the truth. It will stop the same thing happening to my kids, friends, and other families.”
Kelly said: “How many more people are there in similar situations to us that can’t do what we’re doing?
“You’ve got to have a strong heart and mind to do this and I think we’ve both got those things from our dad.”
Bill’s story
Bill was admitted to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle on May 8 2024 with a toe infection. An angioplasty, to improve blood flow, was performed.
He was sent home with antibiotics but was readmitted on May 26 and diagnosed with gangrene.
It was decided to amputate below his right knee and that operation took place on June 2.
On June 28, the family were told Bill had Fournier’s gangrene and nothing more could be done.
Around this time, Michael and Kelly said a large abscess developed on his bottom, which the siblings say continued to get worse during his stay in hospital.
They claim it was not disclosed to Bill or his family, and was only discovered when Kelly rolled her dad over when he was complaining of pain.
They also claim that he was left for 16 days with a full bladder. Before having a catheter fitted, it was found he had retained almost a litre of urine.
When it was drained, Bill tested positive for one of the first pathogens for Fournier’s gangrene.
Kelly said: “He was shouting in pain and saying ‘ I want to die’. On the medical notes it literally says ‘Mr Trotter was screaming’.”
They claim Bill was given insulin without the knowledge and against the recommendations of the hospital’s diabetes team, which resulted in the coma and the loss of his life.
The hospital’s response
The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which is responsible for Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, said an investigation found there were no failings in the care of Bill.
A spokesman told Cumbria Crack: “We would like to reiterate our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Trotter at what has been a very upsetting and traumatic time.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised by the family of Mr Trotter.
“The trust has completed a full complaint investigation.
“This process involved a thorough and transparent review, and the findings have been shared in writing with the family addressing all of their points of concern.
“Our investigation found that there were no failings in care that contributed to Mr Trotter’s death.
“We are aware that other agencies have also examined aspects of this case.
“As the trust’s investigation is now concluded, the family has been advised that any further concerns should be directed to the Public Health Ombudsman.”
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