The frantic call came from a nine-year-old girl, a child’s voice laced with rising panic. Her mother, Paula Ivers, was in pain, and something felt terribly wrong.
Paula had sought medical attention, but was initially assessed as ‘low risk’ despite a known family history of heart problems and an abnormal electrocardiogram. This initial assessment would prove devastatingly inaccurate.
Crucially, a CT scan – the most reliable method for detecting a life-threatening aortic dissection – was never ordered. Standard blood tests and a chest X-ray offered a false sense of security in the face of a rapidly unfolding crisis.
The hospital staff had repeatedly reassured Paula and her partner, Simon Norbury, that her pain was likely indigestion, a simple ailment easily remedied. They were sent home, believing there was nothing to fear.
Simon remembers the shock and disbelief when Paula was lost so suddenly. The diagnosis, when it finally came, revealed a tragic truth: what was dismissed as indigestion was, in fact, a catastrophic medical emergency.
Paula’s sister, Lesley, a nurse herself, spoke of a cruel irony. A lifelong, passionate defender of the National Health Service, Paula was ultimately failed by the very system she so fiercely believed in.
Family members remember Paula as a woman defined by her unwavering kindness, intelligence, and loyalty. She was the heart of their family, a devoted mother and a dedicated professional.
Her career revolved around caring for children, a vocation she pursued with unwavering commitment and empathy. Countless young lives were touched by her compassion and dedication.
The inquest into Paula’s death has been adjourned, a consequence of ongoing industrial action within the medical profession. The search for answers, and accountability, continues.
The family is left grappling with a profound loss, and the agonizing realization that a preventable tragedy unfolded before their eyes. Their grief is compounded by the betrayal of trust in a system meant to protect and heal.
