Hospital’s Mistakes Linked to Death of Newborn Baby Girl

A ten-day-old baby girl, Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson, tragically died from sepsis following a series of medical errors at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. An inquest revealed that medical staff performed a biopsy without obtaining proper consent from her parents, Joseph and Lauren Courtney-Thompson. This procedure, intended to rule out the rare bowel condition Hirschsprung’s disease, occurred on October 21, 2022.

Willow was born prematurely on October 12, 2022. According to the inquest, the biopsy was conducted while Lauren was on a brief phone call with her general practitioner. Just ten hours after the procedure, Willow was discharged but soon became unwell, refusing to feed. The following day, her parents found her unresponsive at home and called emergency services.

She was rushed back to the hospital, where she succumbed to E.Coli sepsis, which was attributed to the biopsy. The Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard a troubling account of errors that contributed to Willow’s death. The procedure took place in a treatment room that lacked privacy and dignity, with frequent interruptions. Willow did not receive the standard pre-procedure antibiotics meant to prevent infection, and instead received two doses only after the biopsy.

Had Willow remained in the hospital for monitoring for 24 hours after the procedure, the coroner concluded that subtle signs of sepsis could have been detected and treated earlier. The inquest also highlighted a breakdown in communication between the surgical and neonatal teams. The surgical team expected Willow to be monitored overnight, while the neonatal team discharged her, believing she was fit to go home.

The Courtney-Thompsons, from Brackley, Northants, expressed their hope that lessons would be learned to prevent similar tragedies. Lauren shared her heartache, stating, “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 lamented the lack of information regarding the risks associated with the biopsy, adding that consent was not properly obtained.

“She was a sassy, cheeky but content little girl,” Lauren recalled. “Although Willow only had ten days of life, she still managed to touch the hearts of many around us.” The couple now aims to ensure that no other family has to suffer as they have.

Following Willow’s death, the couple sought the expertise of medical negligence lawyers from Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care. Their lawyer, Sara Burns, stated, “Willow’s loved ones remain devastated by her death and the extremely tragic nature of it.” She emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for sepsis, urging that vital lessons must be learned from Willow’s case to enhance patient safety.

In response to the inquest findings, Professor Andrew Brent, Chief Medical Officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, expressed deep regret. “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 said. He acknowledged the critical shortfalls in Willow’s care and stated that measures have been taken to ensure such incidents are not repeated.

While the inquest has provided answers to Joseph and Lauren, it does not erase the immense loss they feel. Their commitment to seeking justice and improving healthcare practices serves as a poignant reminder of the need for rigorous standards in medical care to protect the most vulnerable.