A taxi driver helped to put a "larger than life" dad to bed days before he died.
Robert Henry Kileen, known as Bob, was described by his family as a "larger than life character" who would "charm the birds from the trees". The 80-year-old worked as a docker before going on to own shops in the Anfield area.
He later worked as a taxi driver up until his retirement. Paying tribute to his dad, Robert Killeen junior, 52, from Netherton, described him as a "really strong character" who would say things as they were. "He was quite direct but very charming. He could charm the birds from the trees. He was a larger than life character."
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An inquest into Robert's death was held on Thursday, May 11, at Sefton Coroner's Court in Bootle Town Hall. The inquest heard how Robert, originally from Crosby and living in Ainsdale, was admitted to Ormskirk Hospital on November 10, 2021 to undergo a cystoscopy – a procedure to look inside the bladder.
He was then transferred to Southport Hospital for dialysis which he received three times a week. It was during dialysis that Robert became unwell and he was referred to the A&E department due to concerns over his low blood pressure and the possibility that he could have a urinary tract infection.
He was found to have atrial fibrillation – a condition that causes an irregular heart rate – following an ECG test and was prescribed a beta blocker. The family expressed concerns that Robert was discharged from hospital that night before blood tests were carried out to check for any underlying infection.
Senior Coroner Julia Goulding described no blood tests being taken as a "missed opportunity". However, she said tests showed Robert had normal potassium levels and the 80-year-old did not have chest pains.
Robert told doctors he felt better and wanted to go home. Following an assessment of his mobility, he was deemed medically well enough to be discharged. Robert's son, Robert junior said his dad was taken home from hospital in a taxi, with the driver having to help him up the path and into bed.
Robert was readmitted to Southport Hospital two days later on November 12 with cardiogenic shock – a life-threatening condition in which your heart suddenly can't pump enough blood to meet your body's need. He was taken to the resuscitation room of the A&E department at 11.42am.
The inquest heard that although Robert had said he wanted to be resuscitated in the event of a cardiac arrest, doctors decided it would not be in his best interests to commence with CPR. Robert died at 6.10pm on November 12, 2021.
Senior Coroner Julia Goulding concluded that Robert was critically unwell and, on balance, nothing being done differently in respect of medical care would have affected the outcome. Ms Goulding recorded his cause of death as natural causes.
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