The family of a woman who died in hospital following errors which included failing to report an illness that could have been identified by a simple Google search have voiced their fears it could happen again.

Janet Wooding, from Hampton Hill, died in St George’s Hospital, Tooting, in 2013 aged 54 after being transferred from Kingston for an operation on an aneurysm which led to an abscess on the brain.

While at the hospital Mrs Wooding developed metabolic acidosis, which occurs when the body produces too much acid or when the kidneys are not removing enough.

The metabolic acidosis was noted by junior doctors who did not alert any consultants and was also spotted by the consultant anaesthetist, who chose to proceed with the surgery.

Mrs Wooding’s condition deteriorated after the surgery to close the operation wound in her skull and she was admitted to the intensive care unit but died on September 27, 2013.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Mrs Wooding’s daughter, Dionne, 33, of Laurel Road, said a Google search of her symptoms would have revealed that the paracetamol her mother was taking was most likely making her condition worse.

She said: “The tragic events that transpired in the hospital were due to complete lack of communication within the hospital staff caring for her.

"If just one of them had taken the time to even just Google her test results, they would have found that she had developed pyroglumatic acidosis which if diagnosed, is entirely treatable.

“Instead of that Mum ended up having a further operation which she shouldn’t have had in her condition, and the doctors continued administration of drugs including paracetamol, which ultimately led to her death.”

The hospital settled the £23,000 legal claim with the family this month, but Dionne Wooding said she has never received a formal apology and she is concerned unnecessary suffering and death could happen again if issues are not properly addressed.

She said: “I would hate any other family to have to go through what we have been through and would like to have assurances from St George’s that significant improvements in procedures have been made to patient care.”

A spokeswoman from the hospital said a formal written apology will be sent to the family.