A coroner has flagged "a clear missed opportunity" to give a poorly retired miner a better possible chance of survival, with escalation of treatment within a Nottinghamshire hospital. Paul Upex, 65, died at King's Mill Hospital, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, on April 27, 2022, four days after admission.
Nottingham Coroner's Court heard he had a high temperature, a productive cough, and left sided abdominal pain. He was treated promptly for sepsis, with a broad spectrum antibiotic, and fluid resuscitation. The initial source of the infection was unclear.
But Mr Upex, of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, became increasingly unwell, with a need for oxygen to maintain his blood oxygen saturations, and a diagnosis of pneumonia was made. By 8.30pm on Wednesday, April 26, he was very unwell, with a high National Early Warning Score (NEWS) of 8, the inquest heard.
