A DEVOTED husband, father and grandfather with diabetes died in hospital after staff failed to check his blood sugars.

Terry Davill, 72 and of Droitwich, died surrounded by his family at Worcestershire Royal Hospital after slipping into a coma. His death could have been avoided if a nurse had performed basic health checks.

The chief nursing officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said the nurse has been dismissed and removed from the NMC register, issued an unreserved apology and said a review of the trust's protocols for diabetic patients has been launched.

LOVED: Terry Davill's death at Worcestershire Royal Hospital was avoidable had basic checks been carried out such as his blood sugars, a Worcestershire coroner concluded at his inquest earlier this month LOVED: Terry Davill's death at Worcestershire Royal Hospital was avoidable had basic checks been carried out such as his blood sugars, a Worcestershire coroner concluded at his inquest earlier this month (Image: Supplied by the Davill family)

Worcestershire senior coroner David Reid recorded a conclusion on July 16 that he died as a result of failure to properly monitor his glucose levels while he was being treated in hospital and his death was 'contributed to by neglect'.

His daughter, Charlotte Davill, 28, said: "He was the loudest man in the room. He was the life and soul of the party.

"Dad was a really caring man, loved by everyone. 

"He died because somebody did not do their job and that's the hardest thing.

"We are disappointed.

"He died far too young and if the nurse had checked him, he would still be alive."

BUSY: Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester where Terry Davill died surrounded by his family BUSY: Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester where Terry Davill died surrounded by his family (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Mr Davill died on February 9, 2022. The family said they were very happy with the care he had received up until that night. 

He went to hospital through A&E with stomach pains from gallstones before he suffered from sepsis but was recovering when transferred to Avon 2.

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As well as running Davill's Driving School, Mr Davill worked for a pharmacy delivering prescriptions to vulnerable patients, as an ambulance driver and for the fire service.

Originally from Yorkshire, he had three children and three grandchildren. 

Sarah Shingler, chief nursing officer for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, expressed her deepest condolences to Mr Davill’s family.

“We also apologise to them unreservedly for the omissions of a former member of our staff which contributed to his death.

"Those failings fell a long way below the standards we set for ourselves and were a cause of deep distress to other colleagues who were caring for Mr Davill, as well as colleagues across our wider organisation who work hard to ensure our patients are safe and well cared for.

“As soon as we became aware of the issues around Mr Davill’s care we reported our concerns to the police, carried out a thorough investigation and co-operated fully with the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council."