THE family of a bride-to-be, who inspired thousands of people to become potential organ donors, say mistakes made by hospital staff cost them the chance to say a final goodbye.
Hannah Pudsey died at Hull Royal Infirmary, 11 years after a heart transplant saved her life. She was 24.
But her family say the hospital failed Hannah because she was treated by junior staff in a diabetes ward.
As a result, Hannah's fiancé Kevin Preston, whom she was five months away from marrying, her father, David, and brother, Ben, were deprived of the chance to be at her bedside at the end.
Now, the family has received a written apology from Phil Morley, chief executive of Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, for "unacceptable mistakes and errors".
Hannah's mother, Ros, who attended a "resolution meeting" with the trust before meeting Mr Morley, said: "We can't say for certain Hannah would have survived but people can, and do, live a long time after a transplant.
"It was recognised during the meeting we had with hospital managers that Hannah should have been treated in the high-dependency unit and seen by a consultant."
On February 1, last year, Hannah, who was under the care of a consultant at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital following her transplant, was taken by ambulance from her Driffield home to Hull Royal Infirmary.
Earlier, she had visited her doctor complaining of sickness and diarrhoea.
Hannah was suffering from a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. Her body was also rejecting her transplanted heart.
Ros said: "She was seen by a junior doctor in the morning and transferred after lunch to a diabetes ward.
"She was not seen by anyone senior on that ward until 4pm. By that time she had deteriorated.
"Someone should have recognised how ill she was. If someone had said to me that Hannah was really poorly, we could have had the whole family there.
"As a result, my husband, son and Hannah's fiancé never got to say goodbye.
"I called them all after she collapsed in hospital but they couldn't get her heart restarted. We felt as though no one acknowledged to us how ill she was."
Hannah's cause of death was recorded as diabetic ketoacidosis and cardiac rejection.
Ros was sent the minutes of the meeting between her family and the trust, which took place in January.
Mr Morley had handwritten a note on the covering letter, said Ros.
It read: "I am so sorry as I read the account of your daughter's death and the unacceptable mistakes and errors that were made. If it would help in any way to come and talk to me about it then I am at your service. Phil."
The family then took up Mr Morley on his offer and met him to discuss Hannah's case.
Ros, who believes hospital staff did not properly take into account her daughter's medical history, said: "I was totally shocked when I saw that note."
An inquest into Hannah's death is expected in October and the coroner has the authority to make recommendations to prevent further deaths.
Ros said: "We have been told the trust has since changed its protocol. If a patient is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis, a consultant is made aware."
Hannah received widespread praise for spearheading a campaign that led to 25,000 people in East Yorkshire signing up to the national donor register.
Her mother had helped her pick her dress ahead of her wedding, which was planned for July 27, last year.
Ros said: "I've been told Hannah was a pioneer. But, to me, she was just my little girl.
"Hannah was so determined, matter-of-fact and realistic after she had the transplant. She made the most of her life.
"But who knows, with different care, it may have made a difference and she may be here now."
In a statement issued to the Mail, Mr Morley said: "It would not be appropriate to preempt the outcome of a coroner's inquest. However, I did meet the family of Hannah Pudsey to discuss the care provided and if there are lessons to be learned from this case we will do so.
"This was a tragic case and it is impossible for us to understand their grief at losing their daughter. When we met, they were brave and dignified; it was an extremely moving meeting and I would like to, once again, express my sincere condolences at their loss.
"I do believe we could have supported this family better and my door is always open to them."
