A grieving son has referred to his mother's end of life care as "inhumane" after she was left without food and water for 28 days.
Sarene Taylor, 88, died on Monday morning after being sent from hospital to die in a care home with food and fluids withdrawn, her devastated son confirmed.
Rob Taylor, a former North Wales police officer, said the approach to end of life care was "inhumane" and "heartbreaking" for the family and had to change. Mr Taylor plans to report the circumstances that led to his mother's death to the North Wales Police and the Older People's Commissioner for Wales.
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In a statement Rob said: "I understand end of life care, and the carers and district nurses do a fantastic job but to deny a human being food and water is disgraceful and we as a society need to ensure that this doesn't happen again".
He added: "The family thank everyone for their kind messages and loving support during these past weeks," reports North Wales Live.
Last week Rob had spoken of his family's heartbreak after his mother was sent back from hospital to 'die slowly' from "dehydration and malnutrition" after suffering a stroke.
Sarene had suffered the stoke about four weeks ago but was informed by doctors that they could do no more for her as they began end of life care with fluids and food being withdrawn.
And in an emotional video - just days before Mrs Taylor's death - Mr Taylor told of the devastating situation the family found themselves in a situation Mr Taylor said should not be happening in 2023.
"My mum 88-years of age had a fantastic life, but sadly four weeks ago today, she was admitted to a hospital in North Wales, with what we found out to be a stroke," he said.
"I obviously went up to be with her and spend time with her - on the Monday which is three weeks gone - and this Monday the doctor told me that there was nothing more they could do for her sadly and all fluids and food were withdrawn and she was put on end of life care.
"I spent quite a lot of time with her - and then on leaving and waiting for the phone call, because I had to go somewhere else unfortunately, I then discovered I had caught Covid, so I couldn't immediately go back - on the Wednesday, just gone three weeks ago - I was told we had to take her from the hospital. So arranged for her to be taken back to the care home.
"This is not a story about illegality or legality, it's about ethics. My mum is still alive - 24 to 25 days in without any food, any water, no IV drip, nothing - she's still alive - and it's inhumane and absolutely harrowing to the family and inhumane.
"That such a precious lady has been allowed to lie on a bed in a care home - in fairness being seen once a day by a district nurse and they do an outstanding job, it's nothing against them or the care home - but it's the ethics that she is just left to die, slowly from dehydration and malnutrition in front of our very eyes.
"This is how you would treat people back in the 11th and 12th Century - not 2023. It's absolutely harrowing. There is nothing we can do, absolutely nothing we can do - and they have been wonderful, it's just that it's incredible that she's probably suffering and it's heartbreaking, it's absolutely heartbreaking for us."
Speaking after the video was posted Andrea Hughes, Director of Nursing for BCUHB's East Integrated Health Community, said: "We fully appreciate what a difficult time this is for Mr Taylor and his family. While we cannot comment on individual cases in any detail, I can confirm that we are aware of Mr Taylor's concerns and we remain in daily contact with him to ensure that Mrs Taylor receives the most appropriate care."
North Wales Police and the Older People's Commissioner for Wales have been approached for a response. The health board was also approached for comment.
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