The results of an inquest into the death of 43-year old Lee Hanstock were released last week and revealed in The Times.
Experiencing severe high blood pressure, a migraine and a chest infection, Mr Hanstock attended A&E at Queens Hospital in Burton, where a string of medical failures meant that he left the hospital six hours later, still with high blood pressure, but with no on-going medication. Just 24 hours later, following a deterioration in his condition, Mr Hanstock died of heart failure as he was being attended by an ambulance crew, who unfortunately administered inappropriate quantities of sedative medication.
An independent specialist consultant, Michael Norrell, commented that the evidence suggested a ‘substandard’ level of care had been provided.
Opportunities to assess and alleviate the problems with Mr Hanstock’s heart had been missed:
- he was not given an electrocardiogram
- an optic fundoscopy was not undertaken
- his CT scan was not adequately assessed
- he was not sent home with blood pressure medication
Mr Hanstock was, in fact, sent home with painkillers (for his migraine) and antibiotics for a chest infection.
It was further suggested that, had Mr Hanstock been retained in hospital for monitoring, there may have been a more successful response to his deterioration.
The coroner concluded that ‘death could have been avoided through suitable treatment.’
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