WHIPPS CROSS HOSPITAL has apologised for multiple failings in the care of a popular retired postman who died in the A&E department.

Roger Garrett, 64, attended the Leytonstone hospital on July 20, complaining of chest pains.

But he was not given an electrocardiogram, nor was he assessed by medical staff.

Three hours later he suffered a fatal heart attack in a second waiting room.

This week, a report found that the hospital was understaffed, under-equipped and ‘missed opportunities’ to treat Roger.

As a result if the failings in Mr Garrett’s treatment, all over 40s reporting to A&E with chest pains will be streamed straight to the major category.

A spokesperson for Barts Health NHS Trust said: "We are very sorry for the failings in the care we provided to Mr Garrett at Whipps Cross Hospital.

"We have met with and apologised to Mr Garrett’s partner and discussed the changes in practice that are being made following his sad death.

“These improvements include a review of initial assessment processes in collaboration with our primary care partners - Partnership of East London Cooperatives (PELC) - to optimise the timing and quality of assessment for all our patients and consequently reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring in future.”

Mr Garrett’s partner, Bill Caster from Walthamstow, said although he is still coming to terms with what happened, he is pleased with the report’s findings.

He said: “I was really relieved that the report was so honest –they didn’t hold back.

“I knew there were problems on the day, and that he wasn’t treated properly.

“The report is good – but it needs to be followed through. Someone has to make sure they keep to what they have said in the report, so that it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Barts Health has been asked to comment.