Investigation and inquest
On 22 December 2025 an inquest was opened into the death of Michael Chadwick, aged 47. The inquest concluded on 27 April 2026. I made a determination at inquest that he died as a result of injuries sustained in a road traffic collision.
Circumstances of the death
Mr Chadwick approached his GP at Middleton Lodge Practice (MLP) in 2022 with reports of breathlessness and headaches. He was later seen by a Consultant Neurosurgeon at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) and informed them of coughing, shortness of breath at exertion and having “blackened out” on a couple of occasions. Cough induced syncope episodes were reported to a Respiratory Consultant and a Consultant Cardiologist at Sherwood Forest Hospitals (SFH). He was seen at the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at King’s Mill Hospital at SFH and reported the same. Mr Chadwick’s family accompanied him at appointments and do not recall him ever having been given advice about not driving and informing the DVLA of the change to his health. None of the letters sent to his GP confirming the outcome of these appointments make any reference to this advice being given. MLP was aware of the contents of a letter from SFH following his attendance at the UCC, which included the words “probable (sic) Cough Syncope”, and no guidance around driving was provided to Mr Chadwick by MLP.
Mr Chadwick died following injuries sustained in a road traffic collision when the motorcycle he was driving left the road. An investigation revealed Mr Chadwick made no steering or other kind of input to the motorcycle when he left the road. I did not find, on balance, that a cough syncope caused the loss of control.
Coroner’s concerns
1. On the multiple occasions that Mr Chadwick was assessed, and his cough syncope brought to the attention of the medical professionals, there was no advice given him to stop driving and to notify the DVLA of his cough syncope, either orally or in writing.
I am concerned that clinicians may fail to provide similar guidance to other patients, which may lead to episodes of syncope whilst driving, with potentially fatal consequences.