Discharging patient after misdiagnosis causes death

Mrs B’s husband suffered a large pulmonary embolism in 2009.    He was treated at hospital with a course of anticoagulant treatment which he completed in February 2010.    During the course of his nightshift on 17 March 2010, he suffered a severe shortness of breath and collapsed while at work.  At the end of his shift he attended the Accident & Emergency Department of his local hospital.   He was examined by a Senior House Officer (SHO) who diagnosed probable angina and prescribed him a GTN spray.    She discharged Mr B to be followed up by his GP.  Mr B went home but collapsed and died that evening.    The cause of death was pulmonary embolism. Digby Brown pursued a claim on behalf of Mrs B and other members of the family and was successful in recovering full compensation for the death.