Coroner’s office opening investigation into treatment of Balram Patel, who died at St Thomas’ after his lungs were flooded
A 30-year-old man who died last month at one of the UK’s leading hospitals would still be alive if “Martha’s rule”, giving the right to a second opinion, had been in place, his father has said.
Balram Patel, who was described by his father as “happiness personified” died at St Thomas’ hospital on 9 August. Balram had multiple disabilities and was developmentally delayed, so behaved more like an eight-year-old. Jay Patel, 58, claimed that when his son fell ill, he was given unsuitable treatment, which had not previously worked on him, and he was refused a second opinion. As a consequence, he said Balram’s lungs became fatally flooded.
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