EXCLUSIVE: Simple test could have saved Peterborough man's life, says mum
An inquest found there were several missed opportunities to treat Adam Cornell for a brain cyst
The mum of a Peterborough man said her son would be alive today if doctors allowed him to take an eye test after being diagnosed with a brain cyst.
An inquest into Adam Cornell's death heard his family made several attempts to get medical help as his health worsened.
The hearing was told that Adam died in June 2023, around three months since he first reported symptoms.
"All the red flags were there; he had bad headaches, dizziness, but nobody picked up on it," Maria Cornell, Adam's mum, said.
"If he had a fundoscopy, a simple examination behind the eye, it would've highlighted it (the brain cyst) and he would've recovered and could've got on with his life."
Adam - who enjoyed travelling around the world - came home from working a ski season in the Alps after feeling unwell.
Maria said she took Adam to hospital before being told by a doctor that there were no concerns for his health.
"Adam was back home in bed; I then took him to the doctors for blood tests; it wasn't picked up," she said.
"He had terrible pressure in his head, neck pain, (so) I called a paramedic out and they didn't pick up on it; (they) thought he had vertigo."
The coroner concluded that if key symptoms were recognised, Adam should have received emergency treatment which more than likely would have prevented his death.
Despite an urgent outpatient CT scan and blood tests being ordered, the coroner found a fundoscopy was not performed at either GP appointment.
"We would like to again express our sincere condolences to Mr Cornell's family and loved ones," a spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said.
“We have carefully considered the findings of the coroner's inquest into Mr Cornell's death and acknowledge the conclusions reached.
“Patient safety is our highest priority and we remain committed to learning from incidents and inquests so that we can continually improve the care we provide.”
The North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWAFT) - which runs Peterborough City Hospital - confirmed Adam was taken to the hospital in a critical condition.
“He was looked after on the intensive care unit and sadly died four days later," a NWAFT spokesperson said.
“The Trust was not asked by the coroner to participate in the recent inquest.”
The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board were unable to comment.
'It's a life sentence of grief'
The inquest heard Adam died after a build-up of fluid and pressure on his brain.
Nadine Refaat, solicitor at Leigh Day, said the coroner's investigation proved that "Adam’s worsening condition was overlooked on multiple occasions and that opportunities to diagnose and treat him were missed.
“They (Adam's family) remain determined that lessons are learned from Adam’s death and hope that any necessary changes are made to help prevent other families experiencing a similar tragedy in the future.”
Adam - the youngest of three children - also spent time in Australia and Asia after graduating from the University of Leeds.
Maria said she hopes what happened to Adam can allow other families not to have a similar experience to what they did.
"This is the first time I've dealt with any paramedics so I just believed what he told me, but you can't do that, you have to insist they (patient's symptoms) are investigated," she added.
"Anybody that's lost a child, they will know my pain and it just doesn't go; it is a life sentence of grief and loss and it just doesn't go.
"This should never have happened."