A construction worker told to rest following an operation developed deep vein thrombosis and died just three months before he was due to marry, an inquest has heard.

Robert Meakings, 36, was advised by nurses to keep his leg rested after undergoing skin graft surgery following a fall at work.

But the Ashford resident, who lived in Royds Road, Willesborough, developed a blood clot and died at the William Harvey Hospital after complaining of chest pain.

Mr Meakings was injured after falling into a small trench while working at the Eastbrook Secondary School in Dagenham on January 24 last year.

He was rushed to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel after fracturing his ankle in the incident.

He also suffered a degloving injury where one section of skin was torn off.

"The very great tragedy of this is that what happened to Mr Meakings flowed from a communication breakdown..." - Patricia Harding

His fiancée Charlotte Perrin told the inquest at Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone on Thursday how staff at the hospital, which is run by the Barts Health NHS Trust, told her partner to rest up when he was sent home following the skin graft procedure.

Miss Perrin said: “We were told to keep the leg rested and elevated as it needed to be to relieve pressure and swelling.

“If he wandered around on crutches, it would cause blood to go to the foot and cause the swelling to reappear.

“He attempted to move around but it was not very successful so he just rested – he moved very little.”

Mr Meakings rested up for about two or three weeks at home in Willesborough, but was rushed to the Harvey on February 25 with chest pain.

He died the following morning of a heart attack.

The NHS website says being inactive for long periods after an operation can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot that develops within a deep vein in the body, usually in the leg.

Senior coroner Patricia Harding recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

She said: “Following the operation, Robert remained at home with his leg resting for a period of at least three weeks.

“He did so because of the advice given by the hospital – it is likely during this period that he developed DVT.

“It is clear from the evidence I have heard that there was a miscommunication between those involved.

“It is the responsibility of the hospital trust to ensure clear delivery of aftercare instructions.”

"It is clear from the evidence I have heard that there was a miscommunication between those involved..." - Patricia Harding

Mrs Harding said she will publish a regulation 28 report – requesting action is taken to prevent future deaths – to ensure advice is delivered clearly to patients when they leave hospital following an operation.

Mrs Harding added: “Charlotte’s understanding was that the leg should be rested and I accept the evidence she gave.

“There is no evidence of written information being provided to Mr Meakings in how he should treat his injury.

“The very great tragedy of this is that what happened to Mr Meakings flowed from a communication breakdown.”

Last year, a JustGiving page was set up to raise cash for Miss Perrin, who was due to marry Mr Meakings.