A 24-year-old woman died after hospital staff gave her an oxygen mask that was not connected to anything, an inquest has heard. Clarissa Street, a University of Manchester graduate, spent over an hour in a corridor while suffering from a pulmonary embolism after arriving at Royal Oldham Hospital in an ambulance late on August 13, 2024. She passed away the following day.
Paramedic's Dismissal
The inquest, which began on Wednesday and is expected to last three days, heard that a paramedic suggested Ms Street was 'overreacting and having a panic attack' when she was handed over to triage staff. Staff Nurse Michelle Neale, the triage nurse on duty, said the ambulance crew told her Ms Street was hyperventilating but had regulated her breathing by talking to her.
Disconnected Oxygen Mask
Ms Neale admitted she gave Ms Street an oxygen mask that was not connected to anything, saying she 'didn't know' why she did it and accepted it was wrong, but claimed it 'did regulate her breathing' and that Ms Street was 'speaking in full sentences'. Ms Neale then passed Ms Street to a more senior nurse, requesting a cubicle. However, Ms Street, who had low blood oxygen levels and a high heart rate, was placed in a corridor for about an hour on fluids. The senior nurse reportedly said, 'She's young so we'll just keep an eye on her.'
Previous Medical History
Ms Street, from Castleton, Rochdale, had previously experienced a provoked pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis in 2017. She took blood thinners intermittently between 2017 and 2024. The inquest heard that based on national guidelines, there was no need for a haematology referral or long-term anticoagulants at that time. However, it was accepted that in hindsight, a referral might have revealed an underlying contributing factor. The 2024 embolism was unprovoked, and it 'cannot be said that the two are linked'.
Final Hours
Ms Street had felt unwell for two days before her boyfriend called an ambulance on August 13 when she began passing out. She had been unable to sleep and struggled to keep food and water down. After arriving at the hospital, she was given the disconnected mask and left in a corridor. Eventually, she was taken to higher care but deteriorated and died in the early hours of August 14. The cause of death was pulmonary embolism with a background of fatty liver disease.
The inquest at Rochdale Coroner's Court continues and is scheduled to conclude on Friday, May 8.
