An investigation has shown that Professor Amit Patel, a highly respected British-Indian physician, passed away in the UK following a faulty medical procedure. Professor Patel, a Manchester-based NHS consultant hematologist, was renowned for his expertise in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and stem cell transplantation. He was also a member of the HLH National Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
In August 2021, the 43-year-old doctor was admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester with suspected HLH. Despite initial treatment, his condition worsened, leading to his death in October 2021. The inquest, which spanned over two years, concluded recently, highlighting significant failures in Patel’s care.
The Manchester Coroner's ruling stated that Patel underwent an endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) procedure on September 2, 2021, following a recommendation by the national HLH MDT. This recommendation was based on incomplete information about Patel’s clinical condition. The coroner stated that had the MDT been fully informed, they would not have advised the procedure, which led to Patel’s death on October 28, 2021. Additionally, Patel did not provide informed consent for the EBUS procedure, a factor that contributed to his death.
Professor Patel, who had warned his wife, general practitioner Shivani Tanna, about the life-threatening nature of his condition, was not given the opportunity to consider the procedure and its potential risks. The inquiry revealed that Patel’s extensive medical knowledge was ignored, and he was not treated as an ordinary patient.
During the inquiry, it was revealed that Patel had been diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a serious blood clotting disorder, which was not communicated to the HLH MDT. This omission was critical, as the presence of DIC would have contraindicated the EBUS procedure.
Zak Golombek, the coroner, stressed that Patel's death was preventable and brought on by mistakes made in his treatment. He noted that, while these were not systemic issues, they were significant individual lapses. Golombek also highlighted the "mutual love" between Patel and those who knew him, which was evident throughout the inquiry proceedings. Patel’s contributions to medicine, as well as his role as a husband and father, were deeply acknowledged.
The Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust conducted a detailed investigation into Patel’s care and expressed a commitment to learning from this tragedy to improve patient safety and quality of care. Jane Eddleston, the joint group chief medical officer for the trust, stated that the trust is dedicated to applying these lessons to enhance patient experiences.
Patel’s widow, Shivani Tanna, spoke about her husband’s brilliance and dedication, both professionally and personally. She described him as one of the most knowledgeable doctors in the UK, emphasizing his achievements and the profound impact of his loss on their family.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)
