The widow of an Ipswich man who was left with "no choice" but to get the bus to hospital after he suffered a stroke in November is seeking justice on behalf of her late husband.

Lauren Matthews, 25, says she is appalled at the standard of care that her late husband received at Ipswich Hospital.

Ipswich Star: Gavin Matthews, 45, died at Ipswich Hospital last week.Gavin Matthews, 45, died at Ipswich Hospital last week. (Image: Lauren Matthews)

After a short period in which Mrs Matthews believed he was getting better, Gavin Matthews passed away on Friday, February 17 following another haemorrhagic stroke, or a bleed on the brain.

Just hours before, the 45-year-old had been rushed into hospital via ambulance and Mrs Matthews followed shortly afterwards when she received the call to say her goodbyes.

Ipswich Star: Gavin Matthews and his six-year-old daughter Ruby.Gavin Matthews and his six-year-old daughter Ruby. (Image: Lauren Matthews)

"I stayed with him until his final breath," she said.

"It's truly devastating that this has happened. He fought so hard and his strength and determination were unbelievable."

He, his wife and their six-year-old daughter Ruby were just about to sign a tenancy agreement on a property better equipped to Mr Matthews' needs.

"He wanted the garden space for our little girl to grown up in and thought it would be a fresh start for us," said Mrs Matthews.

Ipswich Star: Gavin Matthews with his wife, Lauren.Gavin Matthews with his wife, Lauren. (Image: Lauren Matthews)

She is now seeking justice for the way in which her husband was cared for at Ipswich Hospital, after she claims a consultant told her that her husband would still be here if they had caught his condition early on scans completed in December 2020.

Martin Mansfield is deputy chief medical officer at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust which runs Ipswich Hospital.

He said: "We were extremely saddened to hear of Mr Matthews' death.

"We have recently spoken with his family but would strongly urge them to contact us if they would like to discuss any issues."

Ipswich Star: Mrs Matthews is now fundraising for her late husband's funeral on March 31.Mrs Matthews is now fundraising for her late husband's funeral on March 31. (Image: Lauren Matthews)

Finding herself in a difficult financial situation having been her husband's carer, Mrs Matthews is now fundraising for his funeral on March 31.

"If he had just one penny in his pocket, he would always give it to someone else," she said.

"He deserves a proper send off and he deserves justice."