Richard Branson's wife Joan died from 'massive' blood clot after doctor didn't give her medication

Richard Branson's wife passed away from a blood clot after doctors failed to give her medication, an inquest has heard.

The Virgin Group founder's wife, Lady Joan Sarah Drummond Branson, passed away last November at the age of 80.

An inquest into Joan's death is currently underway, with a court hearing that she had suffered from a 'massive' blood clot in her lungs, following complications from a back injury, per The Sun.

She was later admitted to hospital but was not offered Enoxaparin injections, despite having a history of blood clots.

Consultants on duty at The Lister Hospital when Joan passed away also gave evidence to the court, saying that she should've undergone a Venous Thromboembolism assessment while at the hospital and been issued appropriate medication.

"It should have been done and should have been prescribed," Dr Inaki Bovill told the court.

"It was a regret it wasn’t spotted by me that evening."

Joan Branson (pictured in 2019) passed away last November (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Virgin Voyages)

Meanwhile, Dr Basir Kunduzi, who was on duty at the hospital, explained why he hadn't prescribed the drug, saying that he had wanted Joan to first undergo a CT scan to make sure there was no internal bleeding, noting that anticoagulant medication can worsen internal bleeding.

Dr Kunduzi added that he had noted that Joan hadn't received anticoagulant medication and had assumed the next doctor who took over would review the situation.

Adding that the decision not to prescribe the medication to Joan was one he'd have to live with, he said: "I would like to express my deepest condolences to Lady Branson’s family."

The inquest continues.