Mum Died After GP Wrongly Diagnosed Deep-Vein Thrombosis As Calf-Strain

Mum Died After GP Wrongly Diagnosed Deep-Vein Thrombosis As Calf-Strain
A sign outside one of London's major National Health Service hospitals, St Mary's in Paddington, is seen in London,Friday, Aug.14, 2009. Conservatives in the United States are using horror stories about Britain's system to warn Americans that Obama is trying to impose a socialized system that would give the government too much power, but Britons are digging in their heels, saying their system should be praised, not demonized. Even the usually pro-American business secretary, Peter Mandelson, blasted the American health care system Friday during a robust defense of Britain's NHS. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
A sign outside one of London's major National Health Service hospitals, St Mary's in Paddington, is seen in London,Friday, Aug.14, 2009. Conservatives in the United States are using horror stories about Britain's system to warn Americans that Obama is trying to impose a socialized system that would give the government too much power, but Britons are digging in their heels, saying their system should be praised, not demonized. Even the usually pro-American business secretary, Peter Mandelson, blasted the American health care system Friday during a robust defense of Britain's NHS. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

The family of a mum who died after a GP wrongly diagnosed her deep-vein thrombosis as a calf strain has called for the doctor to be struck off.

Jacqueline Allwood's children have called for Dr Saurabh Adlakha to be struck off after a coronor decided she was medically negligent for telling Jacqueline, 47, to take some ibuprofen, use ice, stretch and wear comfortable shoes.

Jacqueline, an accountant from Penge, visited Cator Medical Centre in Beckenham on January 3 last year after feeling leg pain on New Year's Day.

Ten days later she was at home with daughter Leanne when she complained of a tight chest and dizziness.

She collapsed and was taken to the hospital, but pronounced dead on arrival. Southwark Coroner's Court heard she died of a blood clot that had travelled from her leg to her lung.

But Coroner Andrew Harris ruled Dr Adlakha was negligent in not investigating the case further.

He said Jacqueline had a history of DVT which meant she should have been referred for more tests.

Despite being told of the DVT history, Dr Adlakha had said she most likely had a strain caused by packing up Christmas decorations.

Ten days later, the mother-of-three was dead.

Son Jayden, 20, said: "He was careless. He deserves to be punished. If she had seen a different doctor perhaps she'd still be here.

"He deserves to lose the right to practise for life. We just don't want people to have to go through what we have. There is never a day that we don't think about her. She was the glue that held us together. She was one big ball of life."

Daughter, Tanya, 30, from Crystal Palace, south London, added: "Mum was my best friend, a very intelligent lady and the most loving, full-of-life person. With regards to the doctor, his words, 'We can rule out a DVT,' will always haunt me."

Dr Harris referred the GP, who qualified from the University of Pune, in India, to the General Medical Council for review.

Leanne, 24, said her mother had spoken of her fears it was DVT: "That's what really jars. She did have an inclination that's what it was because of the history in our family. My aunt said they had looked up the symptoms on the internet. But the doctor convinced her nothing was wrong."

Dr Adlakha declined to comment.

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