Stratford mother died after doctors failed to diagnose heart problem

As part of the legal case, led by Elizabeth Maliakal of Hudgell Solicitors, West Midlands Ambulance Service admitted breaching its duty of care as paramedics failed to identify potential cardiac issues, despite an echocardiogram (ECG) showing disturbances and her loss of consciousness.

It also admitted that Mrs Fuentebaja should have been advised to go to hospital that day.

Mrs Fuentebaja’s first ECG test showed disturbances in her heartbeat, but ambulance workers recorded this as being related to anxiety and she was told she did not need to go to hospital.

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust admitted that failing to refer Mrs Fuentebaja to cardiology and failing to place her on constant heart monitoring was also a breach of duty on its own part.

It admitted that had this happened, the 40-year-old nurse would have been correctly diagnosed and treated, and even if she had still suffered the cardiac arrest, she would have received swift defibrillation and resuscitation, and would have survived.