A Preventable Death in Hospital Care | Auckland News

A preventable tragedy unfolded when 79-year-old Colin Clarkson died from dangerously low blood sugar after wandering into a hospital stairwell — a heartbreaking failure of care that exposed systemic gaps in New Zealand’s health system. Despite his wife Lois, a retired physiotherapist, meticulously managing his diabetes and even bringing his insulin supplies, staff missed critical warning signs, including ignoring him on CCTV and failing to respond to his deteriorating condition. The Health and Disability Commissioner found Te Whatu Ora breached consumer rights, and the coroner confirmed his death was avoidable. While reforms are underway, Lois remains deeply concerned about ongoing staffing shortages and inexperienced staff — echoing her devastating belief: “If I had been there, he wouldn’t have died.” Her plea? That no other family should suffer this loss. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/272a9b164583f234