Doncaster Knights rugby star died days after hospital records failings

Ian Williams was examined by doctors at the hospital on February 15, 2018, after attending with chest pains, but was not told to avoid exercise.

He continued to play rugby for Doncaster Knights, training on February 16 and playing a part in a match the next day. He collapsed at training on February 20. Staff and players tried to resuscitate him, but he died in hospital later.

Assistant coroner Louise Slater raised concerns about record keeping at the hospital, and will write to health secretary Matt Hancock about the issue.

She heard Mr Williams was seen by three doctors. One examined him and one created a care plan without seeing any notes. A third doctor, who had not been involved in his care, discharged him without knowing he was a professional sportsman. Experts told the hearing advice to “avoid exercise” was “imperative”.

She said there were no notes of the examination or discussions between the doctors.

Ms Slater said: “There was a theme from all three clinicians - there was so little written down that they could not remember.

“The records in this case by the three doctors are at best sub-optimal.”

Mr Williams was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve disease aged 14. The coroner heard regular monitoring could have led to treatment to slow its progression, but would have stopped him playing rugby.

Sewa Singh, medical director at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “As a trust, we share our deepest condolences and apologies with Mr William's family and loved ones. It is clear that in this case the documentation was not of an acceptable standard and as a result we will take immediate action to ensure that this issue is addressed.

“It is essential that we learn from cases such as this, to ensure that further education is delivered in respect of specific medical conditions that our clinicians may treat, but also on the vital importance of good record-keeping, to try to ensure something like this does not happen again."