Musician tragically dies after waiting nearly 10 hours in A&E
Ellis Thompson, a talented 31-year-old classical musician, passed away due to a pulmonary embolism at Manchester Royal Infirmary after waiting almost 10 hours in the Accident and Emergency department. Before his untimely death on May 17, 2022, Mr. Thompson had visited the hospital three days earlier, where he was diagnosed with a chest infection and wrongly discharged.
The inquest at Manchester Coroner’s Court revealed that Mr. Thompson, originally from Gloucestershire, was a respected violin and piano teacher who had also started his own piano-tuning business. The coroner criticised the “failings” in his care, stating that they significantly contributed to his death.
On May 14, 2022, Mr. Thompson sought medical help at A&E due to shortness of breath persisting for five days. Despite being examined for thrombosis in his calves, there were suspicions of a pulmonary embolism that were not thoroughly investigated. He was diagnosed with a lower respiratory tract infection and discharged, despite lingering concerns.
Two days later, Mr. Thompson returned to the hospital and waited almost ten hours before collapsing and subsequently passing away from a cardiac arrest induced by the pulmonary embolism. The long waiting time was attributed to the hospital’s temporary arrangements during the pandemic, requiring patients suspected of contagious respiratory infections to be treated in a separate area for infection control.
Coroner Zak Golombeck concluded that there was a clear failure in Mr. Thompson’s care that significantly contributed to his death. He highlighted that earlier detection of the condition could have led to more effective treatment. The court heard evidence contradicting the initial diagnosis, indicating a missed opportunity to diagnose and treat Mr. Thompson’s condition during his first visit.
Dr. Alan Grayson, an emergency medicine consultant, admitted that Mr. Thompson should have been seen earlier during his second visit to the hospital. The coroner’s narrative conclusion pointed out that the decision to discharge Mr. Thompson without proper investigations led to his death, as a timely diagnosis of the pulmonary embolism could have resulted in life-saving treatment.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust expressed condolences to Mr. Thompson’s family and acknowledged the need for further learning from the coroner’s findings. The tragic incident highlighted the importance of thorough assessments and timely interventions in emergency healthcare settings to prevent avoidable deaths.
The inquest shed light on systemic issues in the healthcare system, urging improvements in triage protocols, diagnostic procedures, and waiting time management in A&E departments. The case of Ellis Thompson serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of medical oversights and the significance of prioritising patient care and safety in emergency healthcare settings.