Gran with penicillin allergy dies after 'catalogue of errors' at hospital

Gran with penicillin allergy dies after 'catalogue of errors' at hospitalMarianne Mortemore, 69, died after being given another patient's penicillinCommentsNewsHoward Lloyd Regional content editor10:54, 07 Apr 2026Updated 11:06, 07 Apr 2026View 5 ImagesGrandmother Marianne Mortemore died after NHS staff ignored repeated warnings that she was allergic to penicillin(Image: Slater and Gordon / SWNS)A grandmother died after NHS staff blundered and ignored repeated warnings that she was allergic to penicillin — and administered another patient's medication to her in error. Marianne Mortemore, 69, passed away following a "catalogue of errors" by medical staff in what her family describe as the "most appalling, degrading, and undignified" treatment.‌The grandmother-of-four was initially admitted to the University Hospital of North Durham with complications from an existing skin condition in February 2024. She was assessed, but staff failed to identify that she had developed critical limb ischaemia, a potentially fatal condition restricting blood flow to her leg.‌It was only discovered by chance after Marianne's family requested a podiatrist to trim her toenails. Her family had also repeatedly alerted staff to Marianne's allergy to certain medications, including penicillin.‌Yet due to a devastating mix-up, Marianne was mistakenly given another patient's penicillin. Following the administration of the drug, she suffered a heart attack and, despite receiving CPR, died several days later.View 5 ImagesGrandmother Marianne Mortemore died after a penicillin mix-up(Image: SWNS)Her devastated family instructed medical negligence solicitors Slater and Gordon to investigate her care — uncovering shocking failings. Marianne's daughter Catherine said: "We live with a mixture of anger and upset at what happened to our mam.", reports Chronicle Live.‌"We couldn't really believe what was going on at the time, s...