A DAUGHTER said goodbye to her mother after being told she had died – only to find out seven hours later that it was the wrong body, it has been reported.

According to reports in a daily paper grieving Liz Page, 61, and her husband Gerry, 72, were told Mrs Page’s mother Phyllis Lilley, 94, had sadly passed away after being taken to A & E at Dorchester County Hospital, after suffering a stroke.

But in fact, she was alive on another part of the ward.

The couple told the paper they were too upset to realise the mistake when they were taken in to say goodbye.

Mrs Page told The Sun newspaper: “I couldn’t believe it. I was angry and delighted at the same time.”

She added: “They said, ‘We’re very sorry, your mother’s not dead, she’s on another part of the ward.’ “They said the woman who died had a similar name and they pulled out the wrong file.”

Following the incident in March 2014 Dorset County Hospital's NHS Foundation Trust said the hospital had conducted a full investigation and had apologised to Mrs Page. The Trust added that it had since changed it's proceedures.

Mrs Page recalled that following her mother’s admission, she was given a brain scan, which revealed some bleeding and Mrs Lilley was put on oxygen. Her family spent the evening at her bedside before returning to their home.

Talking to the paper, Mrs Page said that she received a call at around 4.50am to say her mum had passed away and asked if they would like to see her.

She said: “A nurse showed us into the cubicle. We were there about three or four minutes I suppose.

“I just said, ‘Goodbye’ and kissed her forehead and came out.

“I know it sounds ridiculous that we didn’t realise it was the wrong body. When you’re told your mum has died and you’re shown into a room, it just doesn’t enter your mind that it won’t be her.”

The couple returned home but they said they seven hours later they got a call from DCH.

She said she has never told her mother of the mix up. Her mum is now in a care home.

Mrs Page said that in a letter the hospital apologised and admitted checks had not been carried out.

Dorset County Hospital's NHS Foundation NHS Trust issued a statement in relation to the incident which took place in March 2014
 
A spokesman for the Trust confirmed that an incident had been reported in March 2014 where Mrs Page had been incorrectly informed about her mother’s death.  

The spokesman man said: "A full investigation was conducted at the time into the events which led to this unacceptable situation.

"Mrs Page made a complaint to the Trust and received a full explanation and apology from the Chief Executive.

"Mrs Page also met with senior managers to understand the outcomes of the investigation."

The statement continued: "The Trust has changed its procedures following this incident.  

"We are extremely sorry for the distress caused to Mrs Page and her family. The staff involved were also very upset by what happened and lessons have been learnt to prevent this from happening again.

"Nothing of this nature has happened since this incident 18 months ago."