Story perspectives

Inquest Finds Lister Missed VTE Prevention Before Death

9/10/2026

Summary

Lady Branson Dies

Lady Joan Branson died from a pulmonary embolism after a private hospital omitted preventative medication.
She entered Lister Hospital in Chelsea on 17 November 2025 following a fall on Necker Island.
Senior coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox said the lack of prophylactic anticoagulants likely contributed to her death.
The inquest found she received no VTE assessment, no anticoagulant within 12 hours, and no compression stockings.

Summary

Lister Hospital Strengthens

Dr. Holly Branson said Enoxaparin was never offered during the first 48 hours.
The admitting doctor failed to complete a bleeding-risk assessment on the day Lady Joan was admitted.
Dr. Basir Kunduzi withheld medication because of bleeding concerns.
Dr. Nevil Pavithran testified the patient had no bleeding risk and should have received anticoagulation within 12 hours.
Dr. Inaki Bovil said Lister Hospital will strengthen VTE risk-prevention protocols after the inquest.

History

Historical Context

The 1984-1995 Bristol Royal Infirmary heart scandal, in which an inquiry reported 170 child deaths, exposed severe safety lapses and led the Department of Health to adopt the 2001 Kennedy Report’s clinical-governance reforms, including mandatory performance publishing. Those reforms now frame calls for systematic VTE-prophylaxis checks after the recent Lister Hospital omission.

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Lady Branson Dies

Lady Joan Branson died from a pulmonary embolism after a private hospital omitted preventative medication.
She entered Lister Hospital in Chelsea on 17 November 2025 following a fall on Necker Island.
Senior coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox said the lack of prophylactic anticoagulants likely contributed to her death.
The inquest found she received no VTE assessment, no anticoagulant within 12 hours, and no compression stockings.

1 / 3