Baby’s Death Raises Concerns Over Hospital Procedures in Oxford

A ten-day-old baby girl died from sepsis after medical staff at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford performed a biopsy without her parents’ consent, according to an inquest. Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson, born prematurely on October 12, 2022, underwent the procedure on October 21 to rule out Hirschsprung’s disease, a rare bowel condition. The inquest revealed that the procedure was conducted while her mother, Lauren, was momentarily away taking a phone call from her general practitioner.

After the biopsy, Willow was discharged just ten hours later but soon fell ill and could not feed. The following day, her parents, Joseph and Lauren, found her unresponsive at home and called emergency services. She was rushed back to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to E.Coli sepsis as a consequence of the biopsy.

Inquest Findings Highlight Systemic Failures

The Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard a series of errors contributed to Willow’s tragic death. One of the most significant issues was that the biopsy was performed in a treatment room that lacked privacy and dignity, with frequent interruptions. Additionally, Willow did not receive the usual pre-procedure antibiotics intended to prevent infections, receiving only two doses after the operation.

The inquest concluded that had Willow been monitored for 24 hours post-biopsy, subtle signs of sepsis could have been detected and treated promptly. There was also confusion between the surgical and neonatal teams regarding her care. The surgical team expected her to be monitored overnight, while the neonatal team mistakenly discharged her, believing she was fit to go home.

Joseph, aged 28, and Lauren, aged 27, from Brackley, Northamptonshire, expressed their hope that lessons will be learned from this tragedy to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Lauren stated, “The hurt and pain we wake with each day over Willow’s death is still as strong now as it was at the time she passed away.”

She emphasized the unanswered questions surrounding their daughter’s care, adding that the inquest and the process of reliving the events were particularly distressing. Lauren continued, “The hardest thing to try and come to terms with is how Willow’s death followed a biopsy that we weren’t properly informed about.”

Calls for Accountability and Change

Following Willow’s death, the couple engaged the medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the circumstances surrounding her care. Their lawyer, Sara Burns, highlighted the devastation felt by Willow’s family and the numerous questions they had regarding her treatment. “While we’re pleased to have been able to secure the answers Joseph and Lauren deserve, the inquest and legal claim have established worrying issues in Willow’s care,” she stated.

Professor Andrew Brent, Chief Medical Officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, acknowledged the critical failures in Willow’s care. “What happened to baby Willow was deeply tragic, and nothing I say can begin to diminish the pain that I know Willow’s parents and family will be feeling,” he remarked.

He offered an unreserved apology, noting, “We didn’t get it right – for that, I am truly sorry. We have ensured that important lessons have been learned about the care we provided to Willow, and we have made changes to our clinical practice to do everything possible to prevent this from happening again.”

The inquest into Willow’s death serves as a stark reminder of the vital importance of clear communication, consent, and proper procedural protocols in healthcare settings.