Relatives Instruct Specialist Medical Negligence Lawyers to Investigate Level of Care Woman Received

The family of a woman who died following a liver biopsy are hoping an inquest will provide much-needed answers in relation to her death.

Jacqueline Cook suffered a bleed after undergoing the procedure at Birmingham’s Good Hope Hospital on 4 May this year.

She underwent surgery and treatment to stem the bleed, however, she died from multiple organ failure on 7 May.

The 63-year-old’s family have now instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the level of care Jacqueline, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, received at the hands of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.

Jade Elliott-Archer, specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "Jacqueline’s family have been left devastated by her death.

“While nothing can be done to bring her back, Jacqueline’s family hope that the inquest into her death will provide them with the much needed answers they are seeking into the circumstances surrounding her death.

“And it is equally important, that if the inquest identifies any failures in the care provided, new procedures are put in place to make sure that such mistakes are not repeated.”

Jacqueline had received treatment for leukaemia and been in remission after taking part in a clinical trial for a new chemotherapy treatment. As part of the trial she took the anti-viral drug acyclovir, which can reportedly affect liver function. 

On 6 April concerns were raised about Jacqueline’s liver function. She was admitted to Good Hope on 9 April and discharged two days later.

However, she was readmitted on 26 April and on 4 May a liver biopsy was performed following which Jacqueline suffered a substantial bleed and died on 7 May.

The inquest is due to start at Birmingham Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, 19 September.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's medical negligence expertise.