Mum, 30, died just days after hospital staff made mistake with paracetamol

A inquest into the death of a mum who was given "staggered overdoses" of paracetamol by hospital staff and died from sepsis and multi-organ failure days later has concluded just days before Christmas . Laura Higginson, a 30 year old mum -of-two from Widnes, was admitted to Whiston Hospital on April 5, 2017, with what was thought to be pneumonia, she was subjected to "staggered overdoses" of paracetamol across several days before medical staff acknowledged their error. Coroner Simon Holder found the evidence provided during the month-long inquest, which concluded at Bootle town hall on December 23, was unable to determine that the overdoses had contributed to the mum's death from sepsis on April 19.

READ MORE: Mum shares terrifying health scare - from five-week coma to 'last' emotional family phone call Mr Holder delivered a narrative finding, stating: "On the evidence I have heard, from April 5 to April 7 Laura Higginson was administered excess staggered doses of paracetamol while a patient at Whiston Hospital. It has not been proven, on the balance of probabilities, that this contributed to her death days later." The court heard how Laura, only 5'1" tall and weighing 6st, was given multiple 1g intravenous doses of paracetamol on both April 5 and April 6, followed by a 500mg dose on April 7, which exceeded safe levels for her small stature until the oversight was spotted and an antidote was provided.



Laura's health took a dramatic turn for the worst on April 7 and she was swiftly admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), leading to her being put into an induced coma the next day. Her condition worsened and by April 18, her husband Anthony together with their children Steven, aged nine, and seven year old Evelyn, were ushered to bid farewell, reports Liverpool Echo. Sadly, Laura passed away on April 19, 2017, with her death attributed to multiple organ failure combined with sepsis, cirrhosis, and pancreatitis.

Mr Holder remarked: "I have heard the (Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS ) Trust's submission that a conclusion of natural causes would be appropriate. That is rejected. "I also cannot accept the family's submission that neglect be recorded as a finding.

I must explain...

that neglect in coronial law is quite different. The definition of neglect in this context means a gross failure to provide adequate nourishment or liquid, or provide or procure basic medical attention or shelter or warmth for someone in a dependent position. I cannot find that the failures by the Trust amounted to a gross failure to provide the basics in medical care.

"The failures of care do have to be gross, and I don't find that the failures here - that mistake of administering the paracetamol - amounts to a gross failure." The coroner chose not to issue a regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, acknowledging that the hospital had implemented several safety measures following Laura's passing. Nevertheless, he expressed his intention to write to the CQC, highlighting concerns over transparency, as Laura's family remained unaware of her paracetamol overdose until three months after her death.

He remarked: "I'm not satisfied that the duty of candour was discharged in this case. "The doctor quite openly accepted that as the case. The Trust has committed to improving standards of patient care.

But this duty of candour is in place to inform patients and their families, and it's accepted Dr Higginson should have been informed. The family should have been informed.".