'A zest for life people could only dream of' - Wolverhampton mother demands answers after coroner rules trust at fault over death of son
The family of a former Bilston schoolboy who died whilst out running are demanding answers after a coroner ruled his death from a heart attack could have been prevented
Kristian Hudson, aged 42, died of a heart attack when out for a run at Wessenden Head Reservoir, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in March this, only weeks after he had visited New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton with chest pain which was passed off as symptoms of indigestion and heartburn.
An inquest held in Bradford last week concluded his symptoms had not been assessed in accordance with recognised guidance at New Cross. The West Yorkshire Western area coroner has now given the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust until Friday to respond to its findings.
An Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) had noted Mr Hudson's chest pain initially occurred after a meal and was seen to be an 'indigestion type pain'. The pain reportedly receded whilst at the hospital and the Electrocardiogram (ECG) was documented as 'normal sinus rhythm'.
But the findings of the inquest stated: "Contrary to recommended guidance, a Troponin (muscle protein) test was not undertaken which may have identified his heart disease and as such he did not receive treatment
"Had appropriate escalation of his treatment occurred it is possible on the balance of probabilities his heart disease could have been identified and treated and he would not have died when he did."
The coroner also wants to find out why a signed copy of the ECG was not provided to the family.
Kristian's mother Debra said the family were devastated at his death and that friends had called him 'the fittest man on the planet' - the former East Park Junior and Moseley Park School pupil ran marathons, was a keen cyclist and a former Ju-Jitsu champion when he lived in Australia.
He was a call handler for the West Midlands Police but owned a property in West Yorkshire which he had renovated and was planning to eventually live in at the time of his death.
She said: "Ever since Kristian was a small child, other than Chickenpox, he was never ill and never had time off school.
"He never had a cough or cold, flu, upset stomach, headache, etc. absolutely nothing - his friends called him the fittest man on the planet and colleagues said he had a zest for life people could only dream of.
"The records of when he visited New Cross on February 14 show they passed it off as an indigestion type pain and the ECG came back as normal which we now know it wasn't, but there is no signed record of it available.
"The inquest has re-enforced our view that the trust and senior staff at New Cross have questions to answer over Kristian's death - nothing will bring him back but an investigation or action could prevent future deaths of a similar nature."
The family are now consulting solicitors currently about possible legal action against the trust.
Joe Chadwick-Bell, group chief executive of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Mr Hudson’s family.
"Due to ongoing discussions, we are unable to comment further at this time. “