Heathrow hospital 'missed blood clot'

John Hodges: Diagnosis missed

A hospital next door to Heathrow Airport failed to diagnose deep vein thrombosis in a passenger who collapsed on arrival.

John Hodges had flown in from the United States, and was taken to Hillingdon Hospital in West London.

However, after a battery of tests, he was discharged, despite suffering from a potentially-dangerous condition which required monitoring.

A lot of tests were carried out - and after they couldn't find anything, I was just discharged

John Hodges

Had a small clot lodged in his lung or brain, he could have suffered a damaging stroke or even fatal pulmonary embolism.

He said: "A lot of tests were carried out - and after they couldn't find anything, I was just discharged.

"I had a lot of heavy bags, and I was just told I could go."

Minute diagnosis

However, when he consulted his own GP about the incident, the doctor diagnosed deep vein thrombosis in "less than a minute", he said.

Hillingdon Hospital has apologised

Dozens of passengers fall ill at Heathrow every year with deep vein thrombosis, which can be brought on by long periods sitting still on aircraft.

The hospital has admitted that it should have spotted the condition and apologised to Mr Hodges.

Farrol Kahn, who runs the Aviation Health Institute, said: "Hillingdon should be more aware of 'economy class syndrome' - after all, this is the major hospital next to Heathrow."

Farrol Kahn: "Hospital should have spotted it"

There are tests which can be performed to detect the presence of a deep vein thrombosis, including ultrasound scans and blood tests for a byproduct of the clot.

Once diagnosed, the standard treatment is with blood thinning drugs to try to reduce the clot. Often patients have to take tablets over a prolonged period.

Many patients are given tight-fitting stockings to support the leg.