Mum died after doctors mistook sepsis for muscle pain and sent her home

The death of a mum ‘could have been avoided’ after doctors mistook her symptoms of sepsis for muscle sprain and sent her home, an inquest heard.

Shahida Begum, 39, visited Newham University Hospital in London after developing a red rash and pain in her right side.

Following an initial screening, she was prescribed medication for the pain and redirected to her GP.

The nursery nurse’s health deteriorated rapidly, and she was taken back to the hospital the following day after she collapsed at home.

Shahida was diagnosed with sepsis, but died from multiple organ failure after suffering three cardiac arrests.

The inquest concluded that if she had been sent to A&E following her assessment ‘it is likely her death would have been avoided’.

Shahida’s husband of ten years, Mohammed Rahman, said the family has been ‘shocked and devastated’ by her sudden death.

He said: ‘We miss Shahida every day and it is heartbreaking to know that she is no longer with us and will not get to see her children grow up.

‘All we can hope for now is that lessons are learned and that measures are put in place to ensure that this does not happen to any other families.’

Following the inquest, senior coroner Nadia Persaud asked Newham GP Co-operative and Barts Health NHS Trust to demonstrate what steps they will take to improve the screening service, which decides whether patients are referred to GPs or A&E.

An internal investigation by Barts Health NHS Trust also highlighted a range of issues.

Speaking after the inquest, the family’s lawyer Alexandra Winch explained that they were ‘still struggling to come to terms with what happened’.

She said: ‘The family have had a number of concerns about what happened in the lead up to her death and sadly the inquest and NHS investigation has identified a number of worrying areas in the care Shahida received.

‘While nothing can make up for Shahida’s death we recognise the recommendations that the Hospital Trust has included in its’ report.

‘It is now vital that these are implemented so staff across all departments are aware of the signs of sepsis and how early detection is key to beating it.’