Mother refused prescription shake after waiting 9 hours in A&E

May Dadson, a 71-year-old cancer patient, was unable to receive her prescribed nutritional shake while enduring a nine-hour wait in the emergency department at North Tees Hospital in Stockton. She was eventually admitted to a ward for treatment of a severe urinary tract infection.

The hospital has since provided staff with specialized training to ensure patients with medical nutrition needs receive proper care. The hospital expressed regret over the incident and acknowledged the role of May's son, Mark Dadson, in collaborating with staff to improve procedures.

Mark Dadson, whose mother passed away from cancer in September 2025, said she would have been proud to see the changes and hopes that similar measures will be adopted nationwide.

Mrs Dadson arrived at A&E at 11:00 BST feeling confused and in pain. Her son informed staff that she required a nutrition shake as part of her cancer treatment. Staff initially told him it could only be provided on the ward, where she was admitted at 20:00.

Mark Dadson said, I wasnt asking for regular food, just her prescribed nutrition. He hopes this incident will lead to improved practices in emergency departments across the country so that seriously ill patients receive appropriate support.

Following the incident, North Tees Hospital ensured that staff are aware of the procedure for providing prescribed nutritional supplements in A&E. While patients are generally advised not to eat or drink before assessment, the hospital stated that food can be provided in cases of prolonged waiting, depending on medical circumstances.

Patients with specialized nutritional needs are encouraged to bring their supplies to the emergency department. The hospital emphasized that this new training aims to improve care for patients requiring specific nutrition or hydration during emergency visits.

A spokesperson for University Hospitals Tees said, We strive to provide the highest standard of care and apologise for this lapse. Changes in training and practice have been implemented to ensure patients receive appropriate nutrition and hydration. We thank Mr Dadson for his contribution in helping us learn and improve.

Analysis: The Importance of Timely Nutritional Support in Emergency Care

The incident involving May Dadson highlights a critical gap in how emergency departments handle patients with specific medical needs, particularly in relation to nutrition. Despite being prescribed a nutritional shake as part of her cancer treatment, May was unable to receive it during a nine-hour wait in the emergency department at North Tees Hospital. The hospital’s subsequent response, which included providing specialized training to staff, shows a willingness to adapt, but it also exposes broader challenges in emergency care practices that need addressing.

The delay in May's nutritional care, while unfortunate, prompted a review of procedures at the hospital. This is a positive step forward, as it ensures that future patients with specific nutritional needs are more likely to receive the proper support in a timely manner. The hospital's apology and the changes in training reflect a commitment to improving patient care, but it is also a reminder of how crucial it is for hospitals to consider the full spectrum of patient needs, even in an emergency setting.

Mark Dadson’s involvement in this process, after his mother’s death, underscores the importance of family members advocating for their loved ones, particularly when those patients have complex medical requirements. His hope that the improvements in North Tees Hospital's emergency department can serve as a model for others across the country is a valid one. Nationwide adoption of such practices would be beneficial in ensuring that all seriously ill patients are adequately supported, regardless of the situation they find themselves in.

Moving forward, it’s crucial that more hospitals review and refine their protocols to ensure that patients with medical nutrition needs are not overlooked, especially during prolonged waits. The incident at North Tees serves as a learning opportunity for healthcare systems, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to patient care in emergency departments.

Sources:

• Mum denied prescription shake in 9-hour A&E wait