'We are still besotted' says Brackley mum after baby died of sepsis from biopsy done without consent
A Brackley mother whose ten-day-old daughter died of sepsis after a procedure done without full consent says she and her husband are 'still besotted by our little girl'.
Tiny Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson died in October, 2024. An inquest found her death could have been avoided if she had remained in hospital. The Oxford University Hospitals Trust (OUH) accepted a breach of duty after she had wrongly been sent home.
“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,” said Willow’s Mum, Lauren.
“The hardest thing to come to terms with is how Willow’s death followed a biopsy weren’t properly informed about. We weren’t warned of any risks, including potential infection, and hadn’t given consent. Staff proceeded while I was taking a phone call from my GP.”
Willow was born prematurely at JR Hospital in Oxford on October 12, 2024. Following complications including problems feeding, Willow underwent a suction rectal biopsy on October 21 to rule out the rare bowel condition Hirschsprung’s disease.
Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court was told the procedure was performed without recorded verbal or written informed consent from parents Joseph and Lauren Courtney-Thompson.
The couple 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 was wrongly sent home around ten 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 October 22. 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.
Following Willow’s death, Joseph, a HGV technician, and Lauren, a weighbridge operator, instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help secure answers. The couple joined their legal team in calling for lessons to be learned.
It comes after OUH admitted failings in a legal claim brought by Irwin Mitchell on their behalf.
The Trust admitted a breach of duty by not providing Willow with the appropriate antibiotics before and after her biopsy and then allowing her to be sent home on the same day as the procedure.
The inquest concluded 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, expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Willow’s loved ones remain devastated by her death and the extremely tragic nature of it.
“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. It’s vital lessons are learned from Willow’s tragic death to uphold patient safety for others.”
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 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 antibiotics Willow was given were not the usual ones prescribed by the hospital. Analysis later found they 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.
Lauren said: “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.
“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 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.
Professor Andrew Brent, Chief Medical Officer at OUH, said: “What happened to baby Willow was deeply tragic, and nothing I say can begin to diminish the pain I know Willow’s parents and family will be feeling. There were critical shortfalls in Willow’s care, and we didn’t get it right – for that, I am truly sorry.
“Along with my Trust colleagues, I have taken the time to investigate and reflect on what happened. We have ensured important lessons have been learnt about the care we provided to Willow, and we have made changes to our clinical practice to do everything possible to prevent this from happening again. However, I know this doesn’t change what has happened.
“Once again, and on behalf of the Trust, I offer my deepest and unreserved apologies to Willow’s parents and family for the poor care we provided to baby Willow.”