Sam Harmel secures finding of Neglect in an Inquest into the death of a patient at North Manchester General Hospital

Sam Harmel represented the family of a deceased patient at an Inquest into her death.  The patient died peacefully at home on 24^th May 2020 of metastatic bowel cancer.       

The patient had previously had a specimen taken on 8^th October 2019 following surgery which revealed aggressive bowel cancer.  This information, despite being available, was not reviewed on her discharge nor for the following 6 months, during which time the Trust cancelled 4 appointments, which may have revealed the results if her records had been considered.  The delay in telling her (or her G.P.) meant that she missed the opportunity of undergoing treatment which on balance would have prolonged her life.

The Coroner concluded that the failures by the Hospital were gross basic failures to provide appropriate medical care and recorded a death of natural causes contributed to by neglect. 

Sam Harmel was instructed by Lucy Mellor of JMW Solicitors.