Evidence was given at a previous hearing that Mr Best was admitted to the hospital on January 1st, 2019. He was receiving treatment for advanced chronic obstructive airway disease and lower respiratory tract infection. The inquest heard policy procedures for the removal of a central venous catheter line were not followed in his case.
In a statement read to a previous hearing, Dr Iqbal said he “accepts with the benefit of hindsight that allowing Mr Best to sit up was a deviation from accepted protocol”. He said the medical staff had been “confused, perplexed and puzzled” by Mr Best’s reaction to the removal of the CVC line. Afterwards, Mr Best’s widow, Geraldine, speaking on behalf of the family, said: “Martin was let down twice. He was put in danger’s way by being allowed to sit up so soon after having the central line taken out of his neck.