A nurse from Denton, Manchester, died at home just three days after hospital doctors dismissed her life-threatening heart condition as acid reflux. Paula Ivers, 47, had attended the A&E department of Tameside General Hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne with worsening chest pain that had been spreading to her back and shoulders since the previous evening.
Solicitors representing the family said her symptoms were characteristic of an aortic dissection – a serious condition where a tear forms in the aorta's wall, allowing blood to escape. However, doctors failed to consider this diagnosis despite her father having suffered a fatal cardiac arrest at just 45.
Paula, a children's nurse and mother of one, was told she had gastroesophageal reflux disease and was discharged in considerable pain with a prescription for indigestion tablets. She passed away at home three days later.
Trust admits breach of duty
Following Paula's death, her family, including sister Lesley Ivers, 51, instructed medical negligence solicitors to examine the circumstances. Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has accepted liability and acknowledged a breach of duty in a civil legal claim pursued by Irwin Mitchell.
The trust conceded that, had Paula received proper care, she would probably have survived. The family are now speaking out to raise awareness of the warning signs of aortic dissection and the critical importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Coroner rules neglect contributed to death
In a separate inquest, coroner Christopher Morris recorded a narrative conclusion, ruling that Paula died as a consequence of complications arising from an undiagnosed and untreated aortic dissection. He found that her death was contributed to by neglect and that she died as a result of a build-up of blood in her heart caused by the condition.
Nicola Ashton, a medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Lesley, said: "Paula's loved ones remain devastated by her death and the circumstances surrounding it.
"They have understandably had serious concerns regarding the care Paula received and whether more could, and should, have been done to help her, particularly given her symptoms, including severe pain, and her family history of early cardiac death.
"Sadly, investigations have identified significant failings in Paula's care, with tragic and devastating consequences. An aortic dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires urgent recognition and treatment.
"While nothing can change what happened to Paula, her family hopes that lessons will be learned from her case and that greater awareness of the condition will help ensure others receive the prompt diagnosis and treatment that can save lives."
Timeline of events
Paula attended Tameside General Hospital's emergency department at approximately 10.30am on March 5, 2024. She was assessed in the department before being moved to the same day emergency centre for additional tests. Doctors failed to consider the possibility of an aortic dissection, according to lawyers.
She was sent home at roughly 3pm without undergoing a CT angiogram X-ray to examine her blood vessels. She collapsed and died at home at approximately 5pm on March 8, 2024.
Lesley said: "Paula was a much-loved daughter, sister, friend and most importantly mum. She was adored by not only her family but many friends and was highly respected as a nurse.
"She was loving, kind and generous and nothing was ever too much trouble for her - she went out of her way to help others. Paula's death has left a huge void in our family and the pain of losing her is still as raw today as it was when she needlessly passed away.
"For almost 25 years Paula devoted her life to the NHS. One of the hardest things to come to terms with is that when she needed help from the service she gave so much to, she was badly let down.
"While we have answers, nothing will make up for what happened and how we believe Paula would still be with us today if she received the care she should have. Our family will never be the same, but Paula's daughter will grow up knowing how much Paula loved her and how proud she was of her.
"Paula's compassion, professionalism, and kindness touched so many lives. Our focus is now on ensuring there is more awareness of aortic dissection and that medical professionals realise the importance of not only a timely diagnosis but also appropriate treatment.
"Paula was a great advocate of the NHS, so we don't want others to be put off seeking help. Rather, we want to honour Paula's memory by seeing lasting improvements in patient care."
After legal representations by Irwin Mitchell in a civil damages claim, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust accepted liability. It acknowledged that relying on an acid reflux diagnosis without excluding an aortic dissection, failing to consider such a condition, not conducting appropriate tests, and discharging Paula without a diagnosis that could reasonably explain her pain all constituted breaches of duty.
The trust also accepted that had an aortic dissection been considered and proper investigations undertaken, Paula would have been transferred for emergency surgery and would probably have survived. Irwin Mitchell is now liaising with the trust to finalise a settlement for Paula's family. Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has been contacted for comment.
