Waterloo man died at home hours after HRI misdiagnosis, inquest hears

A FATHER died at home hours after being misdiagnosed at hospital, an inquest was told.

Michael Morgan, 66, died at his Waterloo home from massive internal bleeding after an aneurysm in his abdomen – a bulge in a major blood vessel – ruptured on September 14.

His death came just hours after being discharged from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI) Huddersfield Coroner’s Court heard yesterday.

Mr Morgan, of Fenay Lea Drive, had been incorrectly diagnosed with musculoskeletal pain by a casualty department doctor during the small hours of September 14.

The deceased had arrived at the hospital complaining of back and groin pain.

Following tests, a misdiagnosis of musculoskeletal pain and treatment involving some painkillers and fluids, Mr Morgan’s condition appeared to stabilise and he was sent home.

But the following day Mr Morgan was found unresponsive in bed and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

The inquest heard the cause of death was a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The inquest was told Dr Naren Vandanapu, who was the senior doctor working at HRI’s accident and emergency department on the day, had suspected Mr Morgan was suffering from an aneurysm, but ruled it out following tests.

Dr Vandanapu told the inquest he regretted relying on his medical findings.

He added he had undergone training since Mr Morgan’s death.

Dr Vandanapu said: “It has already changed my practice in the department; not only me, but my colleagues.

“It’s made me think laterally and reflect and not rely on the presentation all the time.”

Recording a verdict of death by natural causes, coroner Dominic Bell said a “window of opportunity” had been missed.

But ruling out a verdict of natural causes by neglect, Mr Bell said: “I’m satisfied that Dr Vandanapu has reflected on this failure to make the definitive diagnosis and has, with his training supervisor, undertaken the appropriate remedial action.

“The fact that there is an internal investigation taking place suggests that procedures are reasonably robust within the hospital.”

David Wise, medical director of the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, which manages HRI, said: “We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and we hope that they feel reassured that we have learned from their father’s experience.”