Joshua Haines died from diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes. The GP advised Mr. Haines to contact NHS 111 rather than being seen in person, despite symptoms including severe dehydration, vomiting, and slurred speech, according to multiple reports.
Assistant coroner Naomi McLoughlin said there were 'missed opportunities' to get Mr. Haines urgent medical help. Claire Lindsey of Yorkshire Ambulance Service said that had symptoms been reported, Mr. Haines would likely have been classed as a category two emergency, with an ambulance aiming to arrive within 40 minutes. Senior paramedic Daniel Lawton said crews attending would likely have identified the condition, begun rehydration, and taken him to hospital as an emergency. An investigating doctor said 'red flags were missed' by the Extended Access service Mr. Haines contacted.
We're deeply disappointed and devastated. All we want from this is for no family to go through what we've had to go through.
Dr. Saleh Majid, who spoke to Mr. Haines three times, initially believed symptoms pointed to a stomach bug due to persistent vomiting. Dr. Majid said diabetes had been considered and agreed it could develop 'out of the blue', but he could not assess how far along it was and did not envisage it being life-threatening. Dr. Majid said he could have done things differently on reflection. Joshua Haines' sister Jessica Parker said his death was preventable. 'We're deeply disappointed and devastated. All we want from this is for no family to go through what we've had to go through,' she said.
His death has torn a hole through my heart. We cannot understand how he could die so suddenly.