A newborn baby girl passed away due to sepsis following an unauthorized biopsy procedure, as revealed in an investigation. Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson, born prematurely at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on October 12 last year, had a suction rectal biopsy on October 21 without the proper consent from her parents, Joseph and Lauren. The medical staff proceeded with the biopsy while Lauren briefly stepped away to take a phone call.
Despite being discharged ten hours after the biopsy, Willow’s health deteriorated rapidly, leading to her parents calling emergency services the next day when she was found unresponsive at home. She was rushed back to the hospital but succumbed to E.Coli sepsis triggered by the biopsy.
The Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court highlighted several errors that contributed to Willow’s tragic demise, including the lack of privacy during the procedure and the absence of standard pre-procedure antibiotics. The court determined that Willow could have survived if monitored for 24 hours post-biopsy.
The inquest pointed out missed signs of sepsis that could have been addressed earlier and confusion between surgical and neo-natal teams regarding post-procedure care. Joseph and Lauren, devastated by their loss, emphasized the importance of learning from Willow’s case to enhance patient care and avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Following Willow’s death, her parents sought legal counsel to investigate the circumstances surrounding her care. The family’s lawyer expressed their grief over Willow’s passing and highlighted the necessity of early sepsis detection and treatment to prevent such heartbreaking incidents. The Chief Medical Officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust extended sincere apologies to Willow’s family, acknowledging the shortcomings in her care and the commitment to implementing changes for improved clinical practices.