The family of Lorna Loxton, a 55-year-old mother of two, are demanding answers and pursuing legal action after she tragically died following a fall caused by a trip hazard at Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI). The fatal accident occurred as Lorna was leaving the hospital, where she had attended a cardiology appointment.
An investigation revealed that Lorna’s three-wheeled walking frame caught on a protruding metal flap covering a bollard outside the hospital’s Level 5 exit. The resulting fall caused a broken hip and a head injury. After emergency surgery on her hip, Lorna’s condition worsened, and she sadly passed away on January 28, 2024, never regaining her health.
Lorna, who had lived much of her life in Bristol and later in Wells, Somerset, battled myotonic dystrophy, a genetic disorder causing muscle weakness and wasting. Her children, Mark and Danni, both living with the same condition, spoke warmly of their mother’s resilience and love for animals, music, and family.
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“She was a devoted animal lover who supported charities regularly,” said Danni, recalling her mother’s generosity and passion. Despite her illness limiting her ability to work, Lorna remained fiercely proud of her children and the life she led.
The family’s legal representatives from Slater and Gordon highlighted shortcomings in hospital safety measures. The investigation report found that the hospital’s estates and facilities team had not monitored the bollard posts, and no health and safety risk assessment had been conducted. The metal flap’s angle was identified as a clear trip hazard.
Concerns have also been raised about the period following Lorna’s fall. Although she initially contacted her daughter to explain the incident, her condition rapidly declined, and family members felt inadequately informed by hospital staff. Danni described the distress of arriving to see her mother much sicker than expected, often with little communication from medical professionals.
The family also faced emotional challenges when life support decisions were complicated by overlooked medical records, including Lorna’s status as an organ donor.
An inquest into Lorna’s death is forthcoming. Samantha Griffiths of Slater and Gordon expressed her commitment to supporting the family in seeking full transparency and accountability. She emphasized that hospitals must be safe environments for vulnerable patients, especially those reliant on mobility aids, and lamented the tragic circumstances surrounding Lorna’s death.
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust extended condolences to the family and confirmed cooperation with the coroner’s investigation, withholding further comment until the inquest concludes.