"Did my wife receive the proper care?"

My wife underwent surgery at Sheffield Northern General Hospital in July 2008, to replace a leaking aortic valve. Towards the end of November, she suffered a blood clot in her right leg and was rushed to Doncaster Royal Infirmary for surgery, after which she was moved to ward 18.

Two weeks after the operation, my wife suffered a heart attack and a stroke, but was kept on ward 18. Surely my wife should have received the care she needed on either the Coronary Care, Intensive Care or Stroke Unit. Although the nursing staff on ward 18 were wonderful, and I feel that I could single some individuals out by name for even higher praise, I do not think that my wife received the proper care she required while on ward 18.

Unfortunately, after gradual deterioration and despite fighting her illness, my wife passed away whilst still on ward 18 earlier this month.

I am extremely upset and feel cheated of what should have been a happy time during the twilight years of our lives. I would like to know as to where I go to in order to make an official complaint regarding the above, bearing in mind that my wife’s death is the subject of an ongoing coroners inquest.