HUK Represent Family at Coroner's Inquest Nick Flippence passed away aged just 47 in 2023 after being repeatedly denied NHS genetic testing or treatment for haemochromatosis. When they came to the decision to start treatment, Nick had already died two days earlier at home. Nick’s tragic story demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and prompt clinical care. Nick's Story: Our specialist nurses, Diogo and Vik, came to know Nick and his family well as they sought HUK’s advice in navigating NHS services in South London. In desperation, Nick and wife, Julie (pictured above, right) secured a genetic test through the charity’s postal testing service. But further NHS delays in acting on the results meant that Nick was left without treatment. The consultant gastroenterologist at Croydon University Hospital (CUH) overseeing Nick’s care was advised by senior colleagues to start treatment for GH and to arrange a test for rarer forms of the condition. Cruelly, the decision to start treatment came too late. Nick had died two days earlier, at home, aged just 47. The Inquest: Per the family’s request, HUK CEO Neil McClements was granted special permission by the court to represent them at the coroner’s inquest, which was held over two days in August and November 2024. The NHS were represented by specialist law firm Capsticks LLP. Many of Nick’s friends and family attended the hearings, including Nick’s brother, father, and mother-in-law (pictured above, outside court). During the hearing it emerged that Nick’s GP had repeatedly asked Croydon Health Services NHS Trust to arrange testing, which they declined. At the hearings, CUH’s consultant was quizzed on his handling of the case. Numerous inconsistencies in Nick’s medical records were exposed, including the transposition of other (female) and learning-disabled patients’ notes against Nick’s clinical records. The consultant acknowledged a ‘’lack of dynamism’’ in Nick’s care but wouldn’t be drawn on the causes of this. HUK's CEO Neil McClements said "Attending an inquest is extremely distressing for any family, particularly when facing a well-resourced, fully-funded NHS legal team. It's been our privilege to represent the family through this most difficult of life events, to ensure that Nick's death was properly investigated and that those responsible for his care in the final months were held to account." At the hearing, HUK pressed for changes in care pathways in South London, including access to genetic testing in primary care, to save other families from experiencing a similar tragic loss. Conclusions: The inquest found that Nick had died of natural causes. This formal decision now enables Nick’s widow, Julie, to move forward and start to heal. Both she and the wider family continue to be accompanied and supported by HUK as they come to terms with their loss. #earlydiagnosissaveslives Manage Cookie Preferences