A man died of septicaemia just 36 hours after his GP mis-diagnosised his condition over the phone, having refused to make a home visit, an inquest heard last week.

Ian Rix, 41, who worked for Mitcham company Ad Packs, was told on January 28 that pain in his knees was a reoccurrence of an existing condition and prescribed painkillers by Dr Mustafa Ansari from Lavender Hill Surgery in Battersea.

The next day Mr Rix collapsed and was admitted to St George's Hospital, Tooting, where he later died from a serious streptococcal infection - a condition, Dr Ansari admitted to the court 'not difficult to diagnose'.

But Dr Ansari claimed he was not told Mr Rix was suffering from a rash - a symptom of septicaemia, and that he did not sound 'too unwell over the phone'.

The Rix family say Mr Rix's ex-wife Michelle, who first called the Lavender Hill surgery asking for a home visit, explicitly said he was suffering with a rash.

While there is no mention of a rash in Dr Ansari's notes, the court heard how he only recorded the phone conversation after Mr Rix had died.

Condemned as bad practice, Deputy Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said: "It's quite easy to look back with the benefit of hindsight and say alarm bells should have been ringing, although it could be said that this was something that could have been diagnosed straight away."

She added: "There are obvious concerns that this should happen to a fit and healthy man who would always attend the surgery."

Dr Ansari said he did not complete a note immediately because he was in a rush to make an appointment at Tolworth Hospital.

Mr Rix had a pre-exsisting knee condition that had forced him to take redundancy as a maintenance engineer and security worker at Ralph West Hall in Battersea three years ago. Since than he had made regular visits to Dr Ansari.

Dr Radcliffe found Mr Rix had died by natural causes, adding the purpose of the inquest was not to apportion blame.

"I can only offer my deepest condolences for the loss of such a young life," she said.

The Rix family have contacted the General Medical Council and are considering taking legal action against Dr Ansari.