An inquest spanning over two years concluded with a UK coroner attributing the death of Professor Amit Patel, a renowned British-Indian doctor, to a botched medical procedure. Professor Amit Patel, a respected National Health Service (NHS) Consultant Haematologist in Manchester, was admitted to the hospital with suspected haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in August 2021. Despite being a member of the HLH National Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), he became a victim of medical negligence.
The coroner’s ruling highlighted critical oversights, stating that the recommendation for an endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) procedure, which led to Amit Patel’s demise, was made based on incomplete information. Moreover, Amit Patel was not afforded the opportunity to provide informed consent for the procedure, further exacerbating the situation.
Throughout the proceedings, the profound impact of Amit Patel’s loss was evident, with the coroner acknowledging the profound love shared between Amit Patel and his family. Described as an extraordinary individual, Amit Patel’s legacy extends beyond his professional accolades, emphasizing his role as a devoted husband and father.
Coroner Zak Golombek emphasized that despite Amit Patel’s expertise in the medical field, he was treated inadequately as a patient. The report underscored systemic failures in Amit Patel’s care, ultimately deeming his death as preventable.
In response, the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust expressed a commitment to thorough investigation and improvement of patient care standards. Jane Eddleston, joint group chief medical officer for the trust, emphasized the importance of learning from Amit Patel’s case to enhance patient safety and quality of care.
