Man, 34, died of cancer after GPs repeatedly dismissed his concerns as muscular pain and anxiety when he was assessed in phone appointments during Covid lockdown, inquest hears

A man died of cancer after GPs repeatedly dismissed his concerns as muscular pain and anxiety over the phone, an inquest has heard.

Oliver Philpott, 34, called his GP practice at least six times during the Covid 19 lockdown complaining of severe pain in his back and long-term fatigue.

Instead of being seen by a doctor in a face-to-face appointment, he was repeatedly assessed over the phone.

He finally saw his GP at the medical centre four months after he first reported symptoms, but tragically died three days later.

A post mortem later found the 34-year-old had a large 20cm tumour wrapped around his heart and lungs.

Oliver Philpott, 34, called his GP practice at least six times during the Covid 19 lockdown complaining of severe pain in his back and long-term fatigue

He finally saw his GP at the medical centre four months after he first reported symptoms, but tragically died three days later

In a double family tragedy, his father, Anthony (pictured) - wracked by guilt and grief over the death of his son - took his own life.

The aggressive sarcoma had infiltrated his right lung and had eventually caused pulmonary emboli which caused a heart attack that killed him.

In a double family tragedy, his father, Anthony - wracked by guilt and grief over the death of his son - took his own life.

Today at an inquest into Olivers death in Hastings, his doctor, Fiona Warner, said Covid 19 had restricted the number of patients doctors could see face-to-face.

As a result a triage system had been introduced in her practice, Rye Medical Centre, East Sussex.

Oliver, who had only rarely seen a doctor, first called the surgery in February 2021 complaining of long-term fatigue and persistent back pain.

Dr George Taggart assessed him over the phone and ordered blood tests which showed he had a slightly elevated white blood cell count - normally associated with the body fighting an infection or inflammation - and low Vitamin D levels

He gave Oliver the all clear and told him to take a Vitamin D supplement.

However in April, Oliver called the surgery again where he was triaged by paramedic practitioner, Jamie Clarke.

Today at an inquest into Olivers death in Hastings, his doctor, Fiona Warner, said Covid 19 had restricted the number of patients doctors could see face-to-face in her practice, Rye Medical Centre (pictured)

Oliver told the paramedic the back pain he had suffered since January was not improving.

He said he had given up weight-lifting in the the gym as a result but was continuing to feel tired and anxious.

Mr Clarke prescribed painkiller Naproxen and referred the builder and beach warden to physiotherapist, Nicola Bamford, who carried out a phone assessment on April 30.

On May 7 he saw the physiotherapist in a face-to-face appointment who felt he was able to carry out the exercise assessments with ease.

As a result she deduced his pain was muscular-skeletal and gave him breathing exercises to deal with his anxiety.

The inquest heard that despite telling the physiotherapist his pain levels were sometimes eight out of 10 she did not refer him back to the GPs.

However Oliver called the medical centre again saying he was still struggling with bad back pain, was having difficulty sleeping and continued to be anxious.

On May 11 Oliver had a telephone consultation with Dr Warner, the inquest heard, where he told her about his symptoms and was prescribed an anti-depressant to help with his anxiety.

On June 2 he phoned back again and told the paramedic practitioner he still had constant back pain but now had swelling in his arms and legs.

He also said he was suffering from fatigue, wasnt able to sleep and was still suffering anxiety as a result.

Oliver was told to call back if the pain in his back dramatically increased and the call ended.

On June 11 his desperately worried father, Anthony, called Rye Medical Centre and said he was seriously worried about his son.

He said his son was very ill and had lost a huge amount of weight and couldnt get out bed.

However Dr Taggart told him he could not discuss his sons case without prior permission being granted by him.

On June 15 his sister Victoria succeeded in obtaining an appointment at the surgery and pushed her poorly brother into the consulting room in a wheelchair.

Dr Warner told the inquest: He was probably one of the most unwell people I have seen come into a GP surgery. No previous history given earlier that would have told us he was so unwell.

She referred Oliver to A&E and he was immediately admitted to Conquest Hospital, Hastings before being transferred to intensive care where he died three days later.

Dr Warner said told the family Covid 19 had limited the number of patients the surgery could see and they had introduced a triage system to assess patients.

Victoria Philpott said: Well then, it didnt work.

Dr Warner said if Oliver had reported his symptoms now he would have been given a face-to-face appointment.

East Sussex Coroner Fiona King adjourned the hearing and will deliver her findings next week.

After the inquest hearing his sister, Victoria, said: Oliver was left so long without being diagnosed that when he turned up at the hospital he just didnt stand a chance.

I feel the system the GP practice introduced after the outbreak of Covid just wasnt fit for purpose. They should have seen him in person and put a stethoscope in his back. I feel the so-called triage system contributed to my brothers death.