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Family devastated after nurse dies from misdiagnosed heart condition
Overview
The family of 47-year-old children's nurse Paula Ivers has expressed devastation following her needless death in March 2024. She was sent home from Tameside General Hospital after presenting with chest pain, with staff misdiagnosing her condition as acid reflux. An inquest concluded that neglect contributed to her death from a cardiac arrest caused by an aortic tear, and a coroner has issued a warning to prevent future similar deaths.
Key points
- Paula Ivers, a 47-year-old children's nurse, died at her home in Denton, Manchester, in March 2024.
- She had previously attended Tameside General Hospital with severe chest pain but was sent home with a prescription for indigestion medication after being told she had acid reflux.
- Stockport Coroner's Court heard that she suffered a cardiac arrest due to a tear in her aorta.
- A coroner concluded that neglect contributed to her death and issued a warning that lessons must be learned.
- The hospital trust has apologised for shortcomings in care, and the family has successfully sued the trust in a civil case.