Insulin tragedy
Lawyer Paul dies after pump used to treat Type 1 diabetes delivers four days’ worth of medicine in just ONE HOUR
AN URGENT investigation has been launched following the death of a diabetic Scots lawyer who died after receiving a fatal dose of insulin.
Paul McNairney died last month after his Omnipod device is believed to have malfunctioned before delivering four days’ worth of insulin in less than an hour as he slept.
The 39-year-old was found in a coma by husband Scott Craig, who desperately tried to bring him round before calling an ambulance to their Glasgow home. But the solicitor sadly lost his fight for life on November 10 after spending several days in intensive care.
The heartbreaking decision was made to turn off Paul’s life support after medics discovered he had suffered catastrophic and irreparable brain damage.
The advocate received the device – a wearable pump that delivers insulin automatically – from the NHS and had been using it since July with no issues.
But after his death the Omnipod was seized by police and is now being analysed.
Scott, 42, now wants to raise urgent awareness over his fears more people could be affected by faulty Omnipods.
He said: “This device is used worldwide so people need to know what happened as even a single avoidable death is one too many.
“I can’t shake from my mind the fact that I was sitting in the next room relaxing with the dog while my husband lay dying in silence. But there is no way Paul, I believe, died because of an oversight on his part.”
Paul, diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic at the age of two, was used to injecting himself with insulin four times per day and wore a sensor on his arm to track blood sugar levels. But he wanted an Omnipod as it removed the need for numerous injections and came with a companion device to track data. Insulet, the US firm that makes the pods, makes new users complete training before they get their device. Paul completed this training and on July 12 started wearing his pod supplied by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC). He married Scott four days later and used the pod without issue. But on November 7, things went horribly wrong after Scott left his husband to sleep following a busy week. At 10.30am Scott saw Paul was still lying in bed so continued to let him rest. But at 12.30pm he saw Paul was dripping with sweat and pale.
Scott immediately knew this was a sign his husband was hypoglycaemic so used an emergency glucagon syringe.
He said: “It should have made Paul come round in a few minutes but there was no response.”
Paul was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital but passed away just days later.
An exact cause of death is still to be confirmed but an early review from Digby Brown Solicitors found alarming data with Paul’s Omnipod. It is claimed that records from the pod’s companion device show that Paul received 75 units – the equivalent of four days’ worth of insulin – in less than an hour.
NHSGGC said that as a Crown Office investigation was ongoing they could not comment further.
Insulet said: “Our products are highly regulated and we have comprehensive controls and procedures in place to ensure the safety of our products.
“Insulet has been made aware of this unfortunate incident and is working with the Ministry of Health and Regulatory Affairs in the UK to obtain the device for further investigation.
“Further analysis will be conducted upon receiving the device.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to Mr McNairney’s loved ones at this difficult time.”