Inquest concludes Thomas Gibson's death was preventable
A 2 day inquest into the death of 40 year old Thomas Gibson, who died on the morning that his partner, Rebecca Moss, gave birth to their daughter, has found that his death could have been prevented had he received the treatment he needed.
Our team, led by Charlotte Moore and Emily Slocombe of Old Square Chambers, represented Thomas’ family throughout the inquest.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust had admitted liability before the inquest began.
The Coroner, Christopher Morris, concluded that Tom died at his home as a consequence of sudden cardiac death due to myocardial fibrosis.
11 days previously Thomas had been seen at a local hospital which provides specialist cardiac services. When the clinical team were assessing him they did not appreciate that the ECG showed him experiencing complete heart block.
Had this been appreciated, Thomas would have been admitted under the care of cardiologists and a series of investigations undertaken which would have probably culminated in an implantable device, such as a pacemaker fitted.
Rebecca, Thomas’ partner, was present throughout the inquest and had this to say at the end.
“It has been an incredibly difficult year since Thomas passed away, and while nothing can bring him back, I am satisfied with the Coroner’s findings in the narrative conclusion and that he will be writing a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to both the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and N.I.C.E.”
The expertise which could have saved Tom’s life was just one phone call away.
Learning this here was devastating and it is my view that there is a culture of failing to recognise when specialist guidance is needed at Wythenshawe hospital.”
“The family are satisfied with the conclusion that the coroner has reached, that had the ECGs been interpreted correctly, Tom’s tragic death would have been avoided. The family are grateful to the coroner for his thorough investigation.
We remain concerned, however, that the coroner has had to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report to ensure that other families do not have to go through what Rebecca has had to endure for the last year.
We hope that the Trust now takes steps to make changes to practices and policies, to save further lives being lost, unnecessarily.”
Charlotte Moore, Partner, who represented Thomas’ family
Rebecca Moss' statement in full
It has been an incredibly difficult year since Thomas passed away, and while nothing can bring him back, I am satisfied with the Coroner’s findings in the narrative conclusion and that he will be writing a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to both the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and N.I.C.E.
There were serious failings in care following Tom’s admission into hospital back in 2023.
The ECG that identified a complete heart block was missed by doctors and he was discharged without knowing the dangers of sudden cardiac death.
Staff failed to identify that Tom was in serious need of medical attention and no escalation was made that could have saved his life.
Medics admitted over the last two days of the inquest that he should have received treatment and a pacemaker.
The expertise which could have saved Tom’s life was just one phone call away.
Learning this here was devastating and it is my view that there is a culture of failing to recognise when specialist guidance is needed at Wythenshawe hospital.
Communication could have made all the difference to Tom’s life and we wouldn’t be in the situation we are today.
I hope that the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s admission of liability is a lesson to other Trusts across the UK.
This is so that families don’t have to experience the heartbreak that I’ve been through. I sincerely hope that there will be learnings from Tom’s avoidable death.
I am told that inquests aren’t about blame but I have every right to be angry and to seek answers for Tom, Harper and our family.
We support many families whose loved ones have died as a result of negligent medical treatment, helping them to get the answers about what happened during their medical treatment.
If you need advice or to speak to someone, please contact us to speak one of our solicitors.
Extensive media coverage
Our client, Rebecca Moss has given full interviews to the Daily Mirror and ITV News explaining what happened in the period leading up to Tom’s death, and why she is pursuing justice for him and their daughter, Harper.
