HOSPITAL bosses have moved to reassure the public that action has been taken to “address issues” highlighted in the case of a young woman who died in A&E.

Beth Shipsey, 21, of Cover Green, Warndon Villages, Worcester, overdosed on diet drug DNP (2,4 Dintrophernol) on February 15 last year, and was taken by an ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Coroner Geraint Williams ruled that Miss Shipsey had intended to take her own life at Worcestershire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, but said there were “significant failings” in the care delivered by the hospital.

Mr Williams’ verdict came after a five-day inquest, which began on January 8.

A statement from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, following the verdict, said “we are sorry for the shortcomings in Bethany’s care and the support which was offered to her family”.

“We would like to express our deepest condolences to the Shipsey family for the tragic loss of their daughter Bethany.”

The statement went on to say: “We can reassure people using our urgent care services that we have taken actions since February last year that address the issues highlighted by the coroner.

“We have made a series of improvements to support our hard-working staff in their efforts to deliver the safest, highest quality care possible.”

Speaking to the press outside the coroner’s court in Stourport on Wednesday, Miss Shipsey’s dad, Doug, criticised the care given to his daughter.

“Beth was unlucky enough to be taken to an inadequate A&E department at the WRH, which was over crowded, overwhelmed, and understaffed, a First World hospital in Third World circumstances,” he said.

“Even in A&E, Beth stood no chance of survival.”

Mr Williams criticised the emergency doctor’s failure to contact poisons specialists until within half an hour of his daughter going into cardiac arrest – something Mr Shipsey agreed.

“A series of serious and significant failings led to Beth having a cardiac arrest.

“Nothing was done to help save Beth’s life”

The Trust added: “While we are reassured that our inspectors have found improvements in the safety and effectiveness of care in A&E, we recognise that we still have work to do.”