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An NHS nurse passed away three days after being discharged from the hospital, having been told that her heart attack was merely trapped wind, an inquest has revealed.
Paula Ivers, 47, experienced a devastating cardiac arrest at her family home in Tameside, Greater Manchester, in March 2024.
Paula Ivers, 47, died three days after being sent home from the hospitalCredit: Unknown
Tragically, Paula’s 9-year-old daughter found her collapsed on the bedroom floor, following a tear in her aorta that resulted in a heart attack.
The paediatric nurse, who had 24 years of experience, reported experiencing “horrendous” chest pain that was “worse than childbirth” when she was previously taken to Tameside Hospital's A&E, the inquest heard.
Remarkably, she was informed that her symptoms “were not coming from the heart” and was sent home.
Paula’s family has accused the hospital of failing in both care and diagnosis, according to the Manchester Evening News .
In a statement, Paula’s partner, Simon Norbury, mentioned that she was “struggling to breathe” as he took her to the hospital and expected her to be admitted due to her symptoms.
Instead, she was directed to the Same Day Emergency Care Unit for patients who do not require hospitalization.
When examined by a doctor, Paula described her pain as “severe” and rated it an “eight or nine out of 10,” according to Mr. Norbury.
However, after a chest X-ray and blood tests, they were “reassured” that her issues were not heart-related.
Instead, she was simply advised it was trapped wind and to purchase a bottle of Gaviscon before being sent home.
Over the next three days, Paula's pain continued, and Mr. Norbury reported that she “struggled to sleep” and experienced pain in her back and neck.
She eventually suffered a thoracic aortic dissection, which led to the fatal heart attack.
In his statement, Mr. Norbury expressed, “We were shocked to have lost her when we were told it was indigestion and that there was nothing to worry about.”
The inquest revealed that her clinical observations were within a “normal range,” while her ECG and chest X-ray displayed no abnormalities.
Dr. Osama Ahmed, a consultant in emergency medicine at Tameside, did not examine Paula and was unaware of her family history, yet she was still classified as low risk.
Paula had a family history of cardiac issues, as her father had passed away from a “cardiac case” in his early to late 40s, the inquest noted.
Dr. Ahmed acknowledged to the coroner that she should not have been sent to the Same Day Emergency Care Unit.
Paula’s sister, Lesley, who is also a nurse, stated that she was ‘passionate about providing the best care possible’.
“She was a caring, intelligent, determined, and loyal individual. She was always at the center of our family and brightened any room she entered,” she said.
“It is a cruel irony that Paula was a strong advocate for the NHS, yet when she needed it most, she was failed in the worst possible manner.”
The inquest has been adjourned to a later date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Paula Ivers?
Paula Ivers, an NHS nurse, died from a heart attack three days after being discharged from the hospital, where she was misdiagnosed with trapped wind.
What were the circumstances of her discharge from the hospital?
She was sent home after doctors reassured her that her symptoms were not heart-related and attributed her pain to trapped wind.
What did her family say about her care?
Her family accused the hospital of failing in both care and diagnosis, stating they were shocked by the misdiagnosis that led to her death.
