UPDATE: A devastating incident has unfolded in Denton, Tameside, where Paula Ivers, a dedicated 47-year-old nurse, tragically died just three days after being sent home from Tameside Hospital with a diagnosis of ‘indigestion.’ This shocking turn of events has prompted an urgent inquest at Stockport Coroner’s Court as her family alleges severe failings in her medical care.
On March 5, 2024, Ms. Ivers attended the hospital’s A&E department, reporting “horrendous” chest pain described as “worse than childbirth.” Despite her severe symptoms, she was reassured by medical staff that her condition was not heart-related and was discharged with a prescription for heartburn medication, Omeprazole. This diagnosis would prove fatal.
Her partner, Simon Norbury, recounted the harrowing experience of taking Ms. Ivers to the hospital, stating she was “struggling to breathe” in the car. After undergoing a triage process, including blood tests and a chest X-ray, doctors determined her pain resulted from gastroesophageal reflux disease rather than a cardiac issue.
Tragically, Ms. Ivers was found collapsed in her bedroom by her young daughter on March 8, 2024, and was later pronounced dead due to a thoracic aortic dissection, a serious tear in the main artery leading to cardiac arrest. Her family expressed their heartbreak, citing a family history of cardiac issues as further grounds for concern.
During the inquest, it was revealed that Dr. Osama Ahmed, an emergency medicine consultant at Tameside, reviewed Ms. Ivers’ ECG but did not perform a physical examination. The court was informed that there was insufficient evidence to suspect an aortic dissection, despite Ms. Ivers’ alarming symptoms and family background of cardiac problems.
Moreover, Ms. Ivers’ sister, Lesley, also a nurse, described the profound loss, stating, “Paula was a fierce advocate for the NHS. It is a cruel irony that she was let down when she needed help the most.” She emphasized her sister’s lifelong dedication to providing the best care for children, saying, “Her kindness and empathy will have touched countless lives.”
The inquest, which has been adjourned for further evidence, raises critical questions about hospital protocols and the treatment of patients with a known family history of cardiac conditions. Authorities have yet to provide a timeline for the next session as the community grapples with the emotional fallout from this tragic incident.
As the investigation continues, many are left wondering how such a critical oversight could occur in a healthcare setting designed to protect life. The family of Ms. Ivers seeks accountability, hoping her story will lead to changes in the healthcare system to prevent future tragedies like this.
Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent story develops.
