A Nottingham family are still waiting for answers more than a year after a beloved husband, father and grandad passed away. Sean Durcan, of Bilborough, died on December 31, 2021, from a blocked heart stent, but his family have shared their frustration as they claim there are questions over why more was not done to help the 59 year old.
Mr Durcan had gone to his GP at Grange Farm Medical Centre, Bilborough, on December 7, 2021, after suffering from pain in his chest, neck and jaw. The father of five had previously had stents put in his heart in 2015 after he suffered a mild heart attack at home and then a cardiac arrest in hospital.
The family said Mr Durcan returned home after his appointment in high spirits, informing them there was not a problem with his heart, and he had just had a bit of indigestion and anxiety. However, following his death, the family is calling for answers as to why Mr Durcan was not sent for an ECG (Electrocardiography), and they say he did not have his blood pressure or heart rate measured.
Read More: Dad loses 6 family members in 'devastating' Turkey-Syria earthquake
Mr Durcan and his wife, Ann Sedgwick, were married for almost 40 years. Ann said: "As you can imagine we are deeply saddened about what happened to Sean. He was generally in good health and looked after himself so any appointments or check ups, Sean would be there.
"His stents was never checked and it has broken our family that a wonderful father, granddad, and husband has been taken away from us all. We will never be the same again sadly."
A spokesperson for the practice said: "As healthcare professionals, we take pride in providing the best care and advice possible to patients to ensure their health and wellbeing. While we cannot comment on the details of individual patients, we would like to express our deep condolences to the family involved.
"The practice is aware of the case and has been treating it seriously, an internal investigation has been undertaken and we are liaising with the family."
Ann and her daughter Sian Durcan, 22, say they put together a complaint last March which they hope will answer their question, but are still waiting for a report from the doctor's.
Carer, Claire Cresswell, 37, of Chesterfield, explained that after the incident in 2015 Mr Durcan "never went to a cardiologist and nobody ever called for him to have these stents checked."
She explained nothing changed until March 2021, when Mr Durcan was taken off his heart medication.
Claire said: "Then at the start of December he had his vaccinations for coronavirus and I said dad you look white and he kept saying to my mum 'I feel like I have an apple at the back of my throat.' Claire claimed that Sean was told by the doctors there was nothing wrong with his heart during his appointment, but that he continued to be breathless afterwards, and so he called the doctor's office again on December 15 and December 23.
A week later, on December 31, 2021, Mr Durcan woke up shortly after 2am and asked Ann to call him an ambulance.
He died at his home, and it is believed he passed away from a blocked stent on the left side of his heart.
Claire said: "We just don't understand why he was not sent to the hospital, and I do get that my dad should have gone to the hospital himself, but if you have been to your GP and your GP is reassuring you it's not your heart you trust them."
Sian added: "We're all really devastated and really upset. Why wasn't a simple ECG performed to show the blockage, a trip down to A&E, probably a night's stay in hospital and he would still be here.
"It's just absolutely awful, and we have been waiting over a year for this complaint and have contacted them numerous times." Claire added: "He was such a brilliant dad, a brilliant grandad and at 59 years old it's no age.
"It's just devastated us all, how can you be here one minute and then the next minute just wake up and die? He had five children and numerous grandchildren who all adored him. It's so devastating now."
Mr Durcan also leaves behind his daughter Kerry Sedgwick, and sons Craig Sedgwick, Callum Durcan and many grandchildren.
Read Next:
Two pubs being sold off by council as it looks to balance books
Neighbours fear being 'blocked off' over major plan for park
Concern over 'ridiculous' amount of litter in children's park
DWP clarifies why some can't get £301 cost of living payment
Man 'couldn't look in the mirror' before 20 stone weightloss
