Lessons must be learned says family of Wolverhampton mum who died after ECG test misread
Lauren Smith was found dead at her home, with her toddler trying to wake her.
Last updated 17th May 2024
The family of a young mum from Wolverhampton, who was found dead just hours after paramedics had reassured her she was fine, have said lessons must be learned to prevent future tragedies.
Lauren Page Smith was found lying on the floor at her home, with her daughter on her chest, by her mother in January 2023.
The 29-year-old's family said she had earlier been reassured by paramedics sent to help her, after complaining of chest pains and vomiting.
Michael Portman-Hann, an associate with law firm FBC Manby Bowdler, said the ambulance service had now accepted liability for a series of failings in the way Lauren was treated.
“This is a truly appalling case in which a number of mistakes have ultimately led to the death of a much-loved young mum who had her whole life in front of her,” said Mr Portman-Hann.
“The service has accepted it failed to investigate Lauren’s condition quickly or thoroughly enough, did not recognise her symptoms, misinterpreted the results of an ECG scan and as a result could not accurately tell Lauren what was happening to her.
“She should have been told she was suffering a cardiac event and needed hospital treatment in which case she would have been rushed to hospital under blue lights.
"The ambulance service now admits that had they managed Lauren’s case properly she would have been taken to hospital and would likely have survived the heart attack."
Lauren’s mother Emma Carrington said: “Our lives have been absolutely devastated by what happened to Lauren, who had so much to live for and such a bright future in front of her.
“The admissions of liability from the ambulance service show the extent to which things went wrong in the way Lauren was treated.
"We can only hope that lessons have now been learned so that no other family has to endure the pain we have been through.”
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We would again like to apologise to the family of Lauren Smith and offer our condolences.
“The Trust undertook an extensive investigation into the incident, which we have shared with Lauren’s family. As a result we have implemented a number of changes based on the findings.
“We will continue to do all we can to try and stop something like this ever happening again.”