Dr Adekemi Osadiya criticised in inquest after Dartford patient George Black's death
by Alan Watkins
A patient complaining of chest pains died days after a
doctor sent him home without even seeing him.
George Black, 49, of Pepys Close, Dartford, had chronic heart
disease and died eight days after being sent home from the
Temple Hill Surgery in January 2012.
Dr Adekemi Osadiya, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of
Surgery, was acting as a locum at the surgery at the time. She was
there for three weeks.
At an inquest into Mr Black’s death this week, Dr Osadiya said
his chest pains were from indigestion, but after being presented
with evidence from the post mortem, she said he might have had pain
from mesothelioma.
On the day Mr Black visited the surgery, Dr Osadiya saw an ECG
examination and was given information from the practice nurse.
Mr Black’s medical history showed that both his parents and his
two brothers had suffered heart attacks.
Coroner Roger Hatch said Dr Osadiya admitted she knew the ECG
showed a heart abnormality at the time.
The doctor told Mr Hatch: “I am sorry, but he came in for a
medical. I do not have any record he had chest pains before.”
Mr Hatch asked: “Didn’t you think you should have
asked for further tests?”
She didn’t answer.
The practice nurse had given Dr Osadiya a good history of Mr
Black but the GP said she didn’t need to see him.
Mr Hatch said: “She [the nurse] is not a doctor. Why not take
two minutes to go and ask him [Mr Black]?”
Dr Osadiya, 46, of Greenhithe: “I asked her if the patient was
having pain and he said he was having pain three or four times a
day.”
The coroner recorded a verdict that Mr Black’s death was
misadventure brought on by chronic heart disease.
He said: “It is quite plain to me that Dr Arun Kothari (the
surgery’s principal) says there should have been further tests
arranged.
“This was not done. At the very least it should have been
arranged for him to go to the local hospital as Dr Kothari rightly
says.”
He said Mr Black’s death was from failing to carry out further
investigations.
After the inquest Dr Osadiya said: “There was no evidence of
heart disease apart from tension which could be due to a slightly
enlarged heart.
“I would still have done the same.”
Mr Black, a dad of three, lived with his partner
Rachel Wright, 28.
He tragically died just six weeks before the birth of his
youngest daughter
Shannon-Lei Georgie.
His daughter Kelly Ann Black, 31, said the help from doctors was
not there when he needed it most.
"He was a wonderful father and it was so unjust that Shannon-Lei will never get to meet her dad.
" – Mr Black's daughter, Kelly-Ann
The mother-of-four,
of Franklin Road, Bexley Park, Dartford, said: "It was
devastating for the family when he passed away.
"He was a wonderful father and it was so unjust that Shannon-Lei
will never get to meet her dad.
"I asked the doctor in the inquest if they had followed up the
tests, if they
had checked him out properly would he still be here today - and he
said yes.
"It is disgusting how he was left, disregarded. Heart disease
runs in our
family - they knew that he should have been checked.
"It wasn't like he avoided the doctors and didn't look after
himself. He sought
out help and it wasn't there for him and I think that is
disgusting.
"Now his grandchildren and my baby sister have to grow up
without having him around."
Mr Black worked for Gravesend GASP - a charity rehabilitating
recovering drug addicts and alcoholics.
He also leaves his son John, 34, and seven grandchildren.
The family is now considering making a formal complaint to the
General Medical Council and also taking legal advice.
13/02/13