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.
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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."
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 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.
Joan had been with Branson for around five decades before her death, marrying in 1989.
The couple shared children, Holly, Sam, and Clare Sarah, who died at four days old after being born three months premature, together.
"She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for," Branson wrote in his tribute to Joan. "She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world.
"Love you forever, Joan x."
Topics: Richard Branson, UK News
Brenna Cooper