A PRISON inmate should have been seen by a doctor at the earliest opportunity after he complained of feeling unwell early on the day before he died, an inquest heard.

Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Binns died after collapsing with stomach pains at HMP Preston in the early hours of June 3 2006.

The 31-year-old, of Cog Lane, Burnley, had suffered a perforated ulcer and peritonitis.

Over the past two weeks, the inquest at Preston Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Binns had complained of chronic stomach pains for at least two days before his death.

Mr Beveridge, an experienced consultant surgeon with expertise in treating perforated duodenal and gastric ulcers, previously said Mr Binns would have stood a 50 per cent chance of survival had he been referred to hospital by Dr Jane Rees when she examined him at 5pm on June 2.

Returning a narrative verdict on the direction of Preston Coroner Dr James Adeley, the jury foreman told the inquest the doctor’s examination of Mr Binns was ‘appropriate’, given that she was on her way to deal with a mental health emergency, and in the absence of the inmate’s medical history.

But the foreman said Mr Binns should have been referred to a doctor when he displayed recurring symptoms earlier that day.

She said: “With regard to the further discussions between the doctor and the nursing staff at 9.20am on June 2, Nicholas Binns should have been given an appointment at the earliest possible opportunity, after the full morning surgery.

“Nicholas Binns had re-presented to the nursing staff with the same symptoms as reported on the previous day, in addition to shoulder pain.”

Dr Adeley said Mr Binn’s medical records were unavailable at the examination at 5pm because a nurse had earlier put them on top of the nurses’ station.

He described the actions of that nurse as ‘poor’.

Dr Adeley said: “I would have to say that in terms of the assessment at 5pm on June 2 Nicholas Binns was very unlucky to see the doctor at a time when the doctor was being stretched elsewhere.”