- An inquest has concluded that the failure of a private hospital to provide preventative medication likely contributed to the death of Sir Richard Branson 's wife, Lady Joan Branson.
- The 80-year-old died on 24 November at the Lister Hospital in Chelsea from a pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis following pelvic and hip fractures.
- Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox ruled that while it was not a case of neglect, Lady Joan's death would likely have been prevented with appropriate anticoagulation treatment.
- The court heard that despite being at extremely high risk of blood clots due to her immobility, Lady Joan received no preventative medication or immediate risk assessment upon admission.
- Medical staff at the hospital acknowledged the failure to administer anticoagulants within 12 hours of admission, with the facility taking steps to improve future risk prevention.
IN FULL
Private hospital’s failures contributed to death of Richard Branson’s wife, inquest finds
