Northamptonshire Couple Asks Medical Negligence Lawyers To Secure Answers

A 10-day-old baby girl died from sepsis as a result of a biopsy performed without a Hospital Trust obtaining full consent, an inquest heard.

Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson was born prematurely at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, on 12 October, 2024. Following initial complications including problems feeding, Willow underwent a suction rectal biopsy on 21 October to rule out the rare bowel condition Hirschsprung’s disease. 

Oxford Hospital Trust didn't follow consent process for Willow's biopsy

Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court was told that the procedure was performed without recorded verbal or written informed consent from Willow’s parents Joseph and Lauren Courtney-Thompson, of Brackley, Northamptonshire. 

The couple, aged 28 and 27 respectively, reported feeling pressured and were not fully made aware of the risks and benefits of the biopsy. Lauren said Willow’s procedure started while she was taking a phone call from her GP to discuss her own medication. 

 The Trust later acknowledged it failed to follow a formal consent process, the court heard.

The biopsy was performed in a treatment room described as lacking privacy and dignity, with frequent interruptions. Willow did not receive the usual pre-procedure antibiotics designed to prevent an infection. Instead, she received two doses afterwards. 

Willow wrongly sent home from John Radcliffe Hospital following procedure

Willow was wrongly sent home around 10 hours after the procedure. However, Joseph and Lauren did not receive adequate safety netting advice regarding signs of severe illness, such as sepsis.

Willow continued to feed poorly and was lethargic at home. She had developed sepsis – where the body attacks itself in response to an infection - and was found unresponsive at home around midday on 22 October, 2014. She was taken to hospital with severe signs of sepsis but died later that day. Her cause of death was E.Coli sepsis as a result of the suction rectal biopsy.

Medical negligence lawyers asked to investigate baby Willow's care

Following Willow’s death, Joseph, a HGV technician, and Lauren, a weighbridge operator, instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care and help secure answers. 

The couple have now joined their legal team in calling for lessons to be learned. 

Hospital Trust admits breach of duty in legal claim

It comes after Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust admitted failings in a legal claim brought by Irwin Mitchell on Joseph and Lauren’s behalf.

The Trust admitted a breach of duty by not providing Willow with the appropriate antibiotics before and after her biopsy and then in allowing her to be sent home on the same day as the procedure.

The inquest concluded that Willow’s death could likely have been prevented had she remained in hospital for monitoring for 24 hours after her biopsy, as subtle signs of sepsis may have been identified and treated earlier.

Sara Burns is the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the couple.

Expert Opinion

“Willow’s loved ones remain devastated by her death and the extremely tragic nature of it.

“Understandably they’ve had a number of questions and concerns about the care Willow received in the lead up to her death.

“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.

“The effects of sepsis can be devastating with early diagnosis and treatment key to beating the condition. Therefore, it’s vital that lessons are learned from Willow’s tragic death to uphold patient safety for others.” Sara Burns

Sepsis: Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson's story

The inquest was told that following Willow’s biopsy there was no routine post-procedural observation or care plan instituted by the paediatric surgical team. Only one set of observations were recorded at around 2pm, noting a fast heart rate. There was confusion between the surgical and neo-natal teams regarding post-procedure monitoring. The surgical team expected Willow to be monitored overnight, but the neonatal team discharged her, believing the biopsy was not a barrier to her going home. 

The type of antibiotics Willow was given after the procedure were not the usual ones prescribed by the hospital. Analysis later found that the antibiotics used were not effective at treating Willow’s infection. 

While Willow was discharged around 10 hours after the procedure, the discharge summary was written nine days later.

Willow's family pay tribute to "adorable" baby as they call for lessons to be learned

Lauren said: “Willow was a sassy, cheeky but content little girl. She was adorable and never fussed. Although Willow only got 10 days of life, she still managed to touch the hearts of very many people around us. 

“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. Having so many questions as to whether more could have been done to help her has added to our grief. 

“The inquest and reliving what happened has been particularly distressing, but it was the least we could do to get answers and honour our beautiful girl’s memory.

“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. We weren’t warned of any risks connected to the biopsy, including potential infection, and hadn’t given consent. Staff proceeded while I was momentarily taking a phone call from my GP. 

“Willow will always be part of our family. We were and still are besotted by our little girl who is greatly missed by all our family. 

“We just hope that by speaking out we can help improve care for others as we wouldn’t anyone else to endure what our family have.”

The inquest on 6 October recorded a narrative conclusion.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting families affected by care issues at our dedicated medical negligence section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.