Nurse dies days after heart condition misdiagnosed as acid reflux

By Jake Meeus-Jones

A nurse died just days after her life-threatening heart condition was misdiagnosed as acid reflux.

Paula Ivers, 47, went to the hospital complaining of increasing chest pain radiating to her back and shoulders since the previous evening.

She went to the emergency department of Tameside General Hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne, with symptoms consistent with an aortic dissection – in which a tear develops in the wall of the aorta, causing blood to leak - lawyers acting for the family argued.

However, doctors did not consider the condition despite her dad dying of a cardiac arrest aged 45, it is claimed.

Paula, from Denton, Manchester, was told she had gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and was sent home from the hospital in severe pain with a prescription for indigestion medication.

The pediatric nurse and mom-of-one died at home just three days later aged 47.

Following Paula's death, her loved ones, including sister Lesley Ivers, 51, instructed medical negligence lawyers to investigate and help secure answers.

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust admitted liability and a breach of duty in a civil legal claim brought by Irwin Mitchell. The Trust admitted that, with appropriate care, it was likely Paula would have survived.

Paula's family are now speaking out to warn of the signs of aortic dissection and the need for patients to receive an early diagnosis and treatment.

In a separate inquest, a coroner ruled Paula's death was contributed to by "neglect" and that she died of a buildup of blood in her heart caused by an aortic dissection.

Coroner Christopher Morris recorded a narrative conclusion ruling Paula died as a consequence of complications arising from an undiagnosed and untreated aortic dissection.

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."

Paula went to Tameside General Hospital's emergency department at around 10:30 a.m. on March 5, 2024.

She was seen in the department before being transferred to the same-day emergency center for further tests. However, doctors did not consider she may have an aortic dissection, lawyers said.

Paula was discharged at around 3 p.m. without having a CT angiogram X-ray to check her blood vessels - she collapsed and died at home at around 5 p.m. on March 8, 2024.

Lesley said: "Paula was a much-loved daughter, sister, friend and most importantly mom. 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 realize 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 honor Paula's memory by seeing lasting improvements in patient care."

Following legal submissions by Irwin Mitchell in a civil claim for damages, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust admitted liability.

It admitted a reliance on a diagnosis of acid reflux without ruling out an aortic dissection, failing to consider an aortic dissection and failing to carry out appropriate tests as well as discharging Paula without a diagnosis that could feasibly account for her pain were all a breach of duty.

The Trust further admitted that if an aortic dissection had been considered and appropriate investigations carried out, Paula would have been transferred for emergency surgery and would likely have survived.

Irwin Mitchell is now working with the Trust to agree a settlement for Paula's family.

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said: "We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Paula Ivers following the conclusion of the inquest into her death.

"We are deeply sorry for the shortcomings in the care provided and for the distress this has caused.

"The Trust fully acknowledges the findings of the Coroner and has carefully considered the concerns raised.

"We have already taken a number of actions to strengthen our processes and improve patient safety, and we remain committed to learning from this tragic case to help prevent similar events in the future."