Science

Tragic Death of Disabled Man: Inquest Reveals Hospital's Actions Could Not Save Him

2025-06-02

Author: Jacob

In a deeply troubling case, a coroner's inquest has revealed that a disabled man who died after being treated at a London hospital would not have survived, even if he had received alternative treatments. The heartbreaking story revolves around Balram Patel, a 30-year-old resident of Finchley, who passed away on August 9, 2023, at St Thomas' Hospital due to complications related to his severe medical condition.

Balram’s father, Jay Patel, recounted at the inquest that his son had needed intravenous diuretics—powerful medications meant to help reduce fluid retention. Instead, the hospital prescribed oral diuretics, a choice that, according to past evidence, had proven ineffective for Balram.

Dr. Yaso Emmanuel, a consultant cardiologist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, testified that Balram's health had been deteriorating since the beginning of 2023, asserting bluntly that "nobody could prevent him from dying." Balram was born with a significantly compromised heart and was also battling liver cancer at the time of his death.

Initially admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital in July due to a rising infection rate, Balram faced critical health challenges, leading to a dangerous fluid build-up. Following a Covid outbreak within the facility, it was ultimately decided that Balram should be sent home to protect him, despite his vulnerabilities.

In her testimony, Dr. Emmanuel indicated that intravenous diuretics would have allowed Balram to be discharged, but community care teams were unable to provide that level of support. She admitted, "We had exhausted other routes," highlighting the limitations in available medical resources.

Despite conducting extensive tests—blood work and liver scans—Dr. Emmanuel concluded that hospital treatment would have made no difference in the outcome. "By that stage, he was in a very different medical position compared to earlier in his life," she explained.

Mr. Patel, representing himself at the inquest, referenced previous witness statements suggesting that Balram could have potentially lived longer with the correct intravenous treatment. In a poignant moment, he reminded the coroner how doctors once predicted that Balram would only survive three weeks post-birth, yet he defied the odds to live for an extraordinary thirty years.

Mr. Patel pressed Dr. Emmanuel about his earlier requests for a second opinion, to which she admitted she could not recall the specifics. The inquest, taking place at the London Inner South Coroner's Court in Southwark, continues as it seeks to shed light on the events leading up to this tragic loss.