Mitchell Joseph: Footballer's heart surgery care 'good' - inquest

Paramedics tried to save a footballer who was "unresponsive and lifeless" after collapsing on a pitch, an inquest has heard.

Mitchell Joseph, 33, was playing for St Joseph's FC in the Swansea Senior Football League when he died on 13 January 2018.

Swansea Coroner's Court heard Mr Joseph had heart surgery in May 2017.

But an independent expert told the inquest he believed the "overall standard of care was good".

Dr Robin Martin, a former consultant cardiologist at University Hospital Bristol based at Bristol Heart Institute, told the court that the "offer of surgical repair was appropriate".

He said the results of Mr Joseph's heart valve operation had been "excellent".

Asked about a "mix up" with the appointment system, which meant that staff did not realise Mr Joseph had missed an appointment, Dr Martin said: "I don't think that would have had a significant effect on Mitchell's sad outcome.

"You can never say with 100% certainty in medicine but I think it's very unlikely."

Sheryl Morris, who was a senior clinical physiologist at Swansea Bay University Health Board at the time, said a letter for a follow-up appointment "was either not sent or it was for some reason mislaid in the clerical office", adding "the clerical officer was adamant that she hadn't seen the letter".

However, she said: "The patient was told on the day that he would return in two weeks," and that this was common practice by Dr Heatley as a "safety net" for the appointment system "to make sure the patient was aware of the appointment, should the letter not get there in time".

Dr Martin added that Mr Joseph had done the right thing by returning to playing football slowly and that patients have to "dip their toe in the water" to see how it makes them feel.

He said he was not aware of anything more Mr Joseph or medical staff could have done to reduce his risk.

"Mitchell certainly had a very unusual and very sad outcome which would be unexpected for everyone treating him," he said.

A member of the air ambulance crew which attended when Mr Joseph collapsed on the pitch and stopped breathing said there had been "almost immediate resuscitation attempts" by bystanders and two paramedics.

Mr Joseph was taken to Morriston Hospital's emergency department before being transferred to the ICU unit where he later died.

During evidence, Mr Joseph's family were visibly upset and assistant coroner Aled Gruffydd later thanked them for their attendance.

"It is a tragic situation regardless of the findings in this case", he said, adding for a fit young man to die in that way "is hard to understand".

The inquest is expected to conclude on Wednesday.