A MOTHER died two days after eating a Christmas meal at a pub in Hornchurch.
Della Callagher, 46, was among 30 people who fell ill following a Christmas Day lunch at the Railway Hotel.
As her symptoms worsened she was taken to Queen's Hospital in Romford on Boxing Day, but she was sent home to recuperate.
However, the health of Mrs Callagher, mother to a 14-year-old girl, continued to decline and later that day she was taken back to hospital where she died on December 27. Her funeral took place on Saturday.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) began an inquiry after tests showed that the Clostridium perfringens bacterium was found in other diners.
Mrs Callagher's husband John, who lives about a mile from the restaurant in Hornchurch, is unhappy with the treatment his wife received at Queen's Hospital.
"She was in a really bad way but the hospital just sent her home. I was ill myself but she was in a terrible state," he was reported as saying. "Della was so fit and healthy, I can't believe it."
The hospital insists that proper procedures were followed.
Medical director Dr Mike Gill said: "A patient attended our emergency department on Boxing Day with what appeared to be food poisoning.
"The patient was seen and fully assessed by a senior clinician, and given appropriate treatment and advice before returning home.
"The trust followed accepted medical practice. We will be fully reviewing the case.
"We have written to the family offering our condolences at this very difficult time and inviting them to meet medical staff who can answer any queries or concerns they may have."
The Clostridium perfringens bacterium is a common cause of food poisoning and affects mostly red meat or poultry.
The illness it causes usually lasts no more than a few days, although vulnerable people such as children, the elderly and those with underlying health problems can be more seriously affected.
It is rare for a person to die as a direct result of food poisoning.
Dr Deborah Turbitt, director of the local Health Protection Agency unit investigating the case, said: "Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.
"We have been working with Environmental Health Officers at Havering Council to identify the cause of illness and any links to food eaten at the venue.
"The venue has been co-operating fully with our investigations."
A Havering Council spokesman said: "We are very sorry to hear of this sad death and our thoughts are with the family at this time.
"Havering Council is currently investigating a food poisoning outbreak along with the HPA.
"Our initial findings indicate that this seems to be a serious but isolated incident and the venue is co-operating fully with the investigation.
"Our officers have conducted site visits to gather further evidence and statements from employees."
A spokesman for Mitchells and Butlers, which owns the Railway Hotel, said: "We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Callagher family at this very difficult time.
"The local authority is currently investigating an alleged food poisoning incident at the Railway and we are co-operating fully with them to ascertain the cause or source.
"We are also carrying out a thorough internal investigation.
"Until these investigations are complete we are unable to provide any further details."
