The family of a great grandmother who died from asbestos-related cancer believes she had been exposed to the deadly dust while working at a Birmingham hospital.
Betty Killworth, aged 82, of Weoley Castle, was a cleaner at the old Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Edgbaston, between 1976 and 1988.
She was diagnosed with mesothelioma in September last year and died just seven months later.
An inquest into her death recorded a verdict of industrial disease. Evidence suggested the only possible exposure that the mum-of-five had to asbestos was when she was at the hospital, which was noted in deputy coroner Sally Scanlon’s summing up.
Before she died Betty, who worked in the hospital pharmacy department, told Birmingham-based lawyers Irwin Mitchell she believed she had been exposed to asbestos dust while sweeping up after maintenance workers who had been carrying out renovations.
Now her family want to appeal to former colleagues to come forward to help in their search for answers.
Daughter Carol Pendleton said: “When mum started to feel poorly around Christmas 2010, we thought it was something that would just pass, but as her condition deteriorated we knew it was much more serious.
“She was initially told she was suffering from pneumonia but when her condition didn’t improve, further tests revealed that she had an asbestos-related cancer which was such a shock to us all.
‘‘In her last few months she was in a lot of pain and lost a lot of weight. It’s really upsetting to think that mum worked hard all those years to provide for her family.”
Alida Coates, who is representing the family, said: “This is a sad case because Betty had always been such a fit and active woman, long after her retirement, so her diagnosis completely shocked the family.
“The inquest verdict confirms that Betty died as a direct result of being exposed to asbestos.”
A spokesman for University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust extends its sympathies to the family on their sad loss.
“The Trust was not invited to give evidence at the inquest and cannot comment on the proceedings or subsequent claims.”
