Leeds University Student Forced To Put On Hold PhD Studies Asks Medical Negligence Lawyers To Investigate

A Great North Run competitor has been left wheelchair-bound after collapsing with heatstroke and being wrongly discharged from hospital.

Luke Oldfield was taken to A&E at South Tyneside District Hospital in South Shields after completing the half marathon.

The then 25-year-old, who had collapsed at the finish line, had told medics he could not remember the last mile of the run. His ECG was abnormal and he was given intravenous fluids. Luke, of Thirsk, was discharged hours later without any safety advice on signs and symptoms to look out for.

Luke develops acute liver failure following South Tyneside Hospital discharge

In the days leading up to a trip to the USA to give a lecture as part of his PhD studies with Leeds Beckett University, he developed flu-like symptoms. Nine days after the Great North Run, Luke was hospitalised with acute liver failure.

He was airlifted to Detroit for an emergency liver transplant. Luke went on to suffer multi-organ failure and became critically ill. Luke also suffered a life-changing brain injury, as a result of his critical illness.

After six weeks in hospital, he was flown back to the UK, spending nearly two years in hospital and a rehabilitation unit.

Luke, who was forced to put his PhD on hold, has been left wheelchair-bound and suffers from permanent speech and vision problems.

Medical negligence lawyers investigate

He instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and help him access the ongoing specialist rehabilitation and therapies he requires.

Luke, now aged 31, has spoken for the first time to warn of the dangers of heat stroke. He has also revealed his determination not to be defined by his injuries.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust admit breach of duty

It comes after South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, which runs South Tyneside Hospital, admitted a breach of duty in discharging Luke. The Trust admitted that given he had arrived at hospital with signs of heat stroke, Luke should have been monitored for 24 to 48 hours before discharging him was considered.

Tracy Tai is the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Luke.

Expert Opinion

“While the signs of heat exhaustion often pass, if they don’t they can turn into heat stroke, which is a medical emergency and can result in life-changing complications, such as in Lukes’s case.

“The last few years have been incredibly traumatic for Luke and his family. Understandably they’ve had many questions and concerns about what happened, especially around the decision to discharge him from hospital on the evening of the Great North Run.

“Worrying issues in Luke’s A&E care have been admitted. While Luke has shown great determination to try and not be defined by his injuries, he still faces an uncertain future and many challenges.

“We’re determined to ensure Luke has access to the specialist life-long support and therapies he requires to maximise his recovery.

“In the meantime, we urge everyone to be aware of the dangers of heat stroke and the need for care standards to be upheld at all times." Tracy Tai

Medical negligence: Luke Oldfield's story

Luke took part in the Great North Run on Sunday, 8 September 2019, in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer, a charity that is very close to his heart. Following the race, he collapsed and was taken to the medical tent for treatment before being taken to hospital by ambulance. He was discharged later that evening.

Luke flew to Chicago on Wednesday, 11 September.

On Tuesday 17 September, he was admitted to hospital before being airlifted to Detroit, where he underwent an emergency liver transplant the following evening.

Luke also required surgery to treat swelling on his brain and emergency surgery to relieve pressure in his legs after developing compartment syndrome, a condition which cuts off blood flow to the legs.

He remained in hospital until 1 November 2019, before being transferred back to the UK for further treatment.

He remained in a rehabilitation centre until September 2021.  Luke was unable to return to his previous home as it was unsuitable and has had to sell his home to purchase and adapt a bungalow for his needs.

Thirty-one-year-old reveals hope at turning experience into something positive

Despite his challenges, Luke managed to restart his studies and was recently awarded with a doctorate following the successful completion of his PhD studies. He is now aiming to get his work published in academic journals. He plans to continue work as a Research Assistant and hopes to turn his injuries and experience to something positive.

Following legal submissions by Irwin Mitchell the Trust also accepted that if Luke had been kept in hospital, tests may have highlighted a gradual decline in his liver and kidney function.

If Luke had received treatment, it would probably have prevented the progression of his kidney damage, it accepted. However, the Trust denied it would have prevented him from suffering any kidney damage.

The Trust argued that Luke’s liver damage was caused by his heat stroke so even if he had remained in hospital it was likely he would have still suffered liver damage and required a transplant. Therefore, he would have suffered multi-organ failure and a brain injury, it added.

Luke’s neurological problems connected to his liver damage were not caused by the Trust’s breach of duty, it claimed.

Irwin Mitchell and the Trust are working to resolve the ongoing issues in the case.

Luke raising awareness of dangers of heatstroke

Luke said: “Before all this, I was an independent and active and was concentrating on my PhD and the future.

“I don’t remember the end of the Great North Run, just coming round in the tent afterwards. I knew I was in a bad way but when I was sent home from hospital that night I just trusted what I was told.

“The days afterwards I wasn’t myself. I was tired and aching all over. I don’t really remember much after that and getting to hospital in the States.

“When I came round from my surgeries the gravity of what happened started to hit. I awoke a totally different person and one who couldn’t do anything for himself.

“It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe what spending nearly two years in a rehab centre was like. I struggled to communicate and couldn’t event cut food up myself.

“There were a lot of dark and emotional times, but I was determined to try and reclaim some of my old life and re-starting my studies.

“It has been a long haul with many setbacks and obstacles but obtaining my PhD will always be my proudest achievement.

“I know my life hasn’t turned out as I thought but I’m so grateful to be alive and want to make the most of it. I can’t thank the doctors in America and the medical staff once I was back in the UK for everything they did for me.

“I still face many challenges with my speech, mobility, writing, memory, fatigue and anything that requires coordination. I’ve had to move to a home that has been adapted for my needs and to allow me to regain some, however big or small, independence back.

“I just hope that by sharing my story I can not only warn others of the dangers of heat stroke but also inspire people who may be going through a life-changing event that help and support is available and they can still achieve their dreams.”

Support available

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients and families affected by care failings at our dedicated medical negligence section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.