A patient who died at Stafford Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest would have had a greater chance of survival if he had received blood-clotting medication sooner, an inquest has heard.

Property developer Francis Thompson, aged 67, of The Green, Milford, was rushed to hospital after doctors became alarmed at the results of a blood test indicating he could be suffering from deep vein thrombosis. Despite their concern the father-of-three was left waiting for treatment.

He then collapsed and died, an inquest sitting at Stafford Crown Court heard.

Dr Elliot Shinebourne, a consultant in congenital heart disease at Royal Brompton Hospital in London, gave evidence in a written submission to the inquest yesterday.

He said had thrombolytic drug reteplase been administered before Mr Thompson’s cardiac arrest, it was possible there would have been a “different outcome”.

“The delay in treatment did not cause his death but had the diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism been made before his cardiac arrest and optimal treatment commenced, he would have had a better chance of survival,” he said.

On the day of Mr Thompson’s death, January 7, 2008, he had visited his GP and was given a blood test. Concerned at the result, doctors called him to hospital.

Earlier, the inquest heard he attended A&E but was left waiting for up to an hour before he collapsed.

Dr Theresa Bentley, a consultant in emergency medicine at Stafford Hospital, was not on site at the time as she was only appointed in November 2008. But she said because of the patient’s history and shortness of breath, his doctor should have referred him directly to hospital.

Sister Jane Rock, in charge of the minor injuries unit of A&E department on the evening Mr Thompson was admitted, was approached by his wife Janet upon their arrival.

Sister Rock asked her colleagues to attend to Mr Thompson because she was dealing with minor ailments whereas her colleagues worked in the major unit of A&E. She said she “regretted” the decision not to examine Mr Thompson herself “ever since”.

The inquest continues.