A REVIEW has been launched into the death of a disabled woman from Evesham who had all of her teeth removed by a dentist at an NHS trust.

Rachel Johnston, who lived at Pirton Grange Care Home before her death, underwent an operation in October as a result of severe tooth decay.

The 49-year-old's condition worsened the day after being discharged from Kidderminster Hospital, and she spent days on a life support machine before her devastated family were told medics could not do any more to save her.

The family were originally told a lifetime of dental problems meant a "full dental clearance" - the removal of all her teeth - may be needed earlier this year.

Her mother Diana Johnston, who lives in Evesham, told the BBC: "I asked if they could take a few out at a time – it seemed like a big operation – but was told they only wanted to put her under the general anaesthetic once."

Ms Johnston, who suffered brain damage after contracting meningitis as a baby, was anaesthetised at hospital for the removal of all her teeth and, after being discharged following the operation she was said to be in "high spirits".

But after returning to the care home, staff later phoned her mother to say she was very unwell.

Her mother said: "She was bleeding quite a bit and her tongue had swollen right up.

"But she was just lying there. It was like there was no life."

Ms Johnston died on November 13 – 10 days after her life support machine was switched off.

Her death is now being investigated by a coroner.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, which runs the dental service, said the case is now under the care of the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

A spokesman for Worcestershire's three CCGs said: "Whilst it would not be appropriate for us to discuss the details of any specific case, we can confirm that all relevant agencies are committed to work together to share the facts and review the circumstances leading up to a recent case of the death of a person with a learning disability.

"The review of care for this person is being coordinated by Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups, under the auspices of the 'Learning from Deaths for People with a Learning Disability' (LeDeR) programme.

"A core principle of the LeDeR approach is to ensure that the involvement and contribution of people close to the deceased person, including family members, is central to the whole review process."

The CCG added it is now waiting to hear the result of a coroner's investigation.