Bradford Royal Infirmary has been accused of neglect by the family of a man who died after being sent home from the hospital three times in less than a week.

Devon Noade – who was also known by his nickname Nigel – died on June 23 last year after choking on his own vomit, an inquest in Bradford heard yesterday.

The 40-year-old care worker was found in the bathroom of his friend’s house on Hawkshead Walk, in Little Horton, Bradford.

Bradford’s assistant deputy coroner Caroline Sumeray said Mr Noade died of aspiration pneumonia, brought on by a portal vein thrombosis (PVT) – blood clot – that had been caused by a small bowel infarction (his bowel had stopped working).

In the days prior to his death, Mr Noade had complained at BRI of abdominal and chest pain, especially after eating, and vomiting.

At Bradford Coroner’s Court yesterday, Mr Noade’s family asked how a young, fit and well man could die despite visiting a hospital three times in increasing pain. They accused BRI of neglect and said they failed in their duty of care.

Dr Bradley Wilson, an A&E consultant at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, told the court that Mr Noade went to BRI on June 15, 20 and 21 last year.

On the first occasion, Mr Noade went in at 6.14am and told how he had been suffering abdominal and chest pain for six weeks. Doctors said he seemed fit and well and that his observations, such as pulse rate and blood pressure, were normal.

Mr Noade next visited BRI on June 20 at 8pm and told doctors of abdominal pain for nine days straight and added that he had been vomiting quite a bit.

Dr Wilson said his temperature, heart rate and oxygen level were all normal. He was diagnosed with gastritis, prescribed medication and sent home.

But he returned the following day in even more pain and said the medicine was not helping. His dosage was increased and he was again sent home.

Mr Noade’s family asked why he hadn’t been sent for an X-ray or any CT or MRI scans.

Dr Wilson said this wouldn’t have helped, and added that PVT was an extremely rare condition that was very hard to diagnose.

A family member asked: “When a 40-year-old comes into A&E three times with pain, at what stage would that be escalated into something serious? Look at the dates he came in.”

Dr Wilson said he had not treated or seen Mr Noade and said he was relying on the doctors’ notes provided to him.

He said: “Because the observations were absolutely normal on the three occasions, we allowed him home.”

Colin Holburn, a consultant in emergency medicine, agreed that BRI had acted correctly in so far as Mr Noade had seen a more senior member of staff each time.

But he said the thinking process of the doctors involved could have been better and that maybe a full blood count could have been done on Mr Noade’s third visit.

He also agreed with Dr Wilson that a CT or MRI scan would not have helped, given Mr Noade’s symptoms. Mr Holburn also said that PVT was extremely rare and added that it is a condition that can be missed despite everyone’s best efforts.

The inquest into Mr Noade’s death was adjourned before Ms Sumeray could sum up or give her ruling. It will recommence on August 2.