Investigating doctor into death of Leeds man who spoke with GP three times says 'red flags missed'
An investigating doctor says “red flags were missed” in the death of a Leeds man whose body was found at home days after he spoke with a GP.
Joshua Haines was found on March 19 last year at his Cookridge home.
The 30-year-old died from diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition linked to undiagnosed type-1 diabetes.
He had spoken three times with a GP at an Extended Access service, which operates from Park Road Surgery, in Guiseley, in the space of a morning, with worsening symptoms.
Joshua had even suggested to the GP that it was diabetes-related, despite having no history of the condition.
He was suffering severe dehydration with an “incredible, incredible thirst”, days of vomiting, dizziness and confusion. He even said he was too weak to attend the surgery to be examined.
During his third and final call with the GP, it was heard that Joshua was slurring his speech.
But the doctor did not declare it an emergency and Joshua was advised to call the non-emergency number, 111.
Following his death, an investigation was launched by the Leeds GP Federation.
Giving evidence at Wakefield Coroner’s Court today, Dr Ben Hammersley, who led the probe, conceded that mistakes were made.
He said: “I felt there were some opportunities to identify how unwell Joshua was.
“One of the main contributory factors was that 999 was not called after the third call [with the GP].”
He said the biggest “red flag” was that an otherwise healthy man young man was his inability to attend the surgery due to his weakening state.
He also said the dehydration and slurred speech were a concern.
Giving evidence earlier in the day, Dr Saleh Majid, who had spoken over the phone to Joshua three times that day, said that he initially thought it was a stomach bug, given the persistent vomiting symptom.
He said that diabetes had also been a consideration and agreed it was possible a person can contract the illness “out of the blue”.
But said he could not assess how “how far down the line he was” and did not “envisage it being at a life-threatening stage”.
Asked if he made mistakes, Dr Majid said: “I could have done things differently on reflection. I have had time to learn and reflect on this tragic case.
“Things will be done differently.”
Joshua’s body was found shortly after 11am on 19 March, 2025 at his home on Green Lane, Cookridge, shortly after 11am. He had lived there alone.
Police went to his house after his concerned sister, Jessica Parker, contacted them to say she could not reach him.
Joshua worked as a surveyor and was regarded as a “rising star” in the industry, having been fast-tracked into management because of his “exceptional ability”.
Mrs Parker believed that had Joshua been assisted by ambulance crew or been taken to hospital, that “his condition was treatable and death preventable”.
The inquest continues and is expected to conclude later today.