Grandfather dies in A&E waiting room chair while waiting for five hours to be seen

The former woodworker had been rushed to hospital with chest pain and other symptoms by his wife after they gave up waiting for an ambulance.

Phillips arrived at the hospital with symptoms including fever and fluctuating heart rate and blood pressure.

Wrexham Maelor Hospital

PA

Wrexham Maelor Hospital

PA

Stuart Jones, a senior charge nurse, testified: "A&E was full, there was no trolley space available. There were ambulances outside. Patients were in cars outside."

When asked about staffing levels, he replied: "I don't believe they were great." Professor Saul Myerson, a cardiology expert, told the inquest an ECG test would normally be carried out early after triage, which could have improved Phillips' chances of survival.

Senior Coroner for North Wales, John Gittins, said Phillips' care and treatment had been "suboptimal."

He recorded a narrative conclusion, stating: "While it's not possible to establish whether the cardiac event which caused the death was preventable, the absence of investigation denied him any opportunity for appropriate care and treatment."

The inquest heard Phillips died from cardiac arrhythmia due to coronary artery atheroma.

Adam Hodson, who represented Phillips' family, said: "This is a tragic example of failings in the NHS which were exacerbated by the Covid pandemic.

"An internal investigation by the health board concluded a catalogue of errors occurred...Had he been seen and received treatment, the family believe he would still have been with us today."

Wrexham Maelor emergency department

WikICOmmons

Head of the Wrexham Maelor emergency department Dr Robin Roop said the pandemic had been "an ever-changing situation...We've continued to improve and strengthen in terms of pathways for patients,".

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board told the hearing it had made "a significant amount of improvements and changes" since Phillips' death.