Man not given anti-clot medication, inquest told

A patient who died from complications with blood clots was not given a vital anti-clotting medication that could have saved his life, an inquest has heard.

Tom Parsons, 32, died in East Surrey Hospital on 8 July 2024 due to complications with deep vein thrombosis after being admitted while suffering from psychosis the previous month.

Parsons, from East Grinstead, West Sussex, had been considered at risk of developing clots but was not given a prescribed anti-coagulant medication for two weeks due to concerns for staff safety.

A hospital consultant apologised to Parsons' family at Woking Coroner's Court on Tuesday, adding changes had been made since his death to prevent similar incidents.

In a statement read to the inquest by assistant coroner Dr Karen Henderson, his family said: "He had a very good sense of humour, a fantastic memory and strong opinions.

"He had a mischievous sense of humour and an infectious laugh."

Parsons, who was also a steward and part of the education team at the Bluebell Railway in East Grinstead, "lived and breathed the railway" and "had only just found his niche in life", his family added.

The inquest heard how Parsons, who had epilepsy and autism and lived in supported accommodation, was first admitted to the hospital in Redhill after a significant deterioration in his mental health.

While in the hospital, Parsons contracted Covid-19 and was later diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism - a blood clot blocking a blood vessel in his lung.

Despite emergency surgery on 2 July, Parsons died six days later as a result of the clots.

He had been prescribed Enoxaparin, an anti-clotting medication, but injections were not administered for two weeks over fears for staff safety.

His family told the inquest they were not consulted and could have helped resolve the situation, having previously helped to calm him when injections needed to be administered.

Parsons' mother, Kim Parsons, said: "His death was a great shock to our family. We remain devastated by it and we are still struggling to come to terms with it."

Dr Ben Mearns, a consultant physician at East Surrey Hospital, told the inquest: "Tom died because he didn't have something he needed for two weeks.

"I am very, very sorry for what happened to Tom as a trust. I think you as a family have not been treated in the way you deserve. I would like to apologise for that.

"Tom was at risk of developing embolism, that was clear from the moment he was admitted."

The inquest continues.

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