A Torbay Hospital doctor sent the woman home

An inquest has heard how five doctors failed to realise that Vanessa McMahon, 40, from Totnes, had the flesh eating bug, necrotising fasciitis.

Ms McMahon died in Torbay Hospital on 30 April last year.

She had been admitted the previous night, but had been sent home even though she was critically ill.

By discharging Vanessa, they gave her no chance of survival. Vanessa McMahon's parents

Dr Marina Morgan, a consultant microbiologist from Exeter, told the inquest that if necrotising fasciitis had been diagnosed when Ms McMahon had first been admitted, she would have survived.

This was described by the coroner as "the most worrying thing of all in this troublesome case".

Dr Morgan said early diagnosis was crucial in saving the lives of people with the disease, and called for better training of doctors at all levels.

Senior house officer Syed Ali, who discharged Ms McMahon, is rumoured to have returned home to the Indian sub-continent and cannot be contacted the inquest heard.

Coroner Robert Newman recorded a narrative verdict, saying: "Vanessa McMahon was admitted to Torbay Hospital on April 29, 2003, suffering from necrotising fasciitis, and discharged two hours later with the condition undiagnosed and untreated.

"She was readmitted and died there from the same condition, still undiagnosed, on April 30, 2003."

'Devastating condition'

Afterwards, Ms McMahon's parents said in a statement: "Our daughter spent the last few hours of her life in great pain and distress.

"By discharging Vanessa, they gave her no chance of survival.

"We hope Torbay Hospital take on board the importance of proper staff training so no other family has to go through what we have gone through."

Dr Stephen Smith, medical director of South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, which is responsible for Torbay Hospital, said the trust recognised Ms McMahon "should not have been sent home".

He added: "South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust will ensure that further ongoing education and planning is put in place to make all its medical staff more aware of this potentially devastating condition."