Hello everyone, I’m sorry we’re here in this ‘club’ and I send you all the love today.
I’m looking for advice/perspectives on pursuing complaints with the NHS on the care of your loved one. My mum died on 26th February 2024 from a heart attack. 5 days prior to this she went to the doctors as she had been experiencing flu-like symptoms & chest pain, and the chest pain she was experiencing on that day she booked her doctors appointment she likened to ‘having a heart attack’ (a detail I have since read in a text message she sent to her manager about needing to leave work early.) Her doctor diagnosed her with a chest infection and gave her antibiotics. 5 days later she died at home alone from a heart attack. I can’t help but wonder what might have happened if her doctor had recognised the possible warning signs, maybe my mum might still be here. My mum has some family history with heart-related issues which her doctor claims my mum never mentioned, which feels like a bit of a cop out to me. It just feels so desperately tragic. My mum was 67, she was about to retire, she had plans for the year already booked in.
I’m hoping to hear from anyone in the online community who might have been through similar with their loved one and misdiagnosis/medical negligence, and whether you decided to make some kind of complaint, or not. I’m so conflicted as to what to do, as I know going through with something like this can be long and traumatic, and ultimately doesn’t bring the person you love back, but the injustice I feel is difficult to carry day to day.
I’d be so very grateful to anyone who shares their stories with me either below or in my DM, as I really don’t know what to do or how to deal with this.
Hello. I am so sorry you are going through this. Perhaps your Mum judged the situation as needing to go to the doctor rather than call an ambulance or go to A&E.
If she died alone at home there may need to be a referral to the coroner to go through all the information to find out what happened.
If you are the next of kin you can have the chance to make a statement called an “antecedent statement” for the coroners.
This may help you answer some of the questions and concerns you have.
If you are concerned about any medical treatment your Mum received there should be some sort of patient liaison service in your area. This is something I used in a separate issue.
If you feel strongly about any treatment your Mum had it is best to follow the official procedure. It is emotionally costly, and I would suggest only committing to this after giving yourself time to write down how you feel. If you do decide to go down that road, it only can rest on evidence that is factual. It is actually not possible to predict that someone is going to have heart issues on a particular day. The medical profession give it in terms of percentages: my husband was told for example of a 53% chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years. Which is really no help at all. And that is a patient with a pre-existing diagnosed heart condition.
I wish you well. And hope things get better for you. The tragedy of this loss is not to be underestimated I know. My husband was 64, and never got to enjoy retirement. It is a really tough thing to face.
Hi im going through a complaint process at the moment for a delayed diagnosis for my husband’s cancer.
I have got a no win no fee solicitor at the moment and in the process of a complaint through PALS with the hospital (I promised my husband before he died) because the hospital kept sending him home and doing nothing I only had 4 weeks from his diagnosis from 22nd October to 23rd November when he passed away.
I have just started a complaint for my son who died in November. I know nothing will bring him back and I’m guessing the NHS won’t admit to anything but I feel I have to fight for him.
He died from ischaemic heart disease, age 40. He’d had some kidney issues but heart problems were never mentioned.
My disabled son aged 20 died suddenly in feb this year. Hes been having sudden sore throats for 2 years, chest and back pain with vomiting, left arm pain and was seen to have 2 seizure events
He was in supported living and saw the gp and called 111 several times. He was also ambulances to hospital.
The only thing he got from his gp was paracetamol and drink honey and lemon.
He was on anti psychotic meds he should never have been put on, and should have only been on them for a matter of weeks.
Despite my repeated pleas he been taken off them, he was on them for 2 years
These drugs are known to cause arrhythmia, seizures and sudden death
Ive approached one solicitor who wont take it as it wont make over 100’000
Its not about the money but justice for my son
My question is do i have a case and who can help me?
My complaint is with the hospital and not the GP, our doctor did the best he could until he had to send him to hospital and thats where the nightmare began.
Try its worth it for your peace of mind
The coroner has just called. My son died of acute pulmonary edema caused by congestive heart failure. Had the gp requested investigations/regular heart scans as my son should have been having then this could have been prevented/had treatment.
Im so angry and upset to learn what my son must have been foinf through and no one listened
Perhaps raising a complaint would help you in some way.
I had my pre-investigation meeting yesterday. The hospital will come back to me by 11th June with their findings.
I said my bit and perhaps it will help someone in the future …
