DEATH PROBE
Police probe claims mum-of-two died after hospital gave her paracetamol overdose by accident and ‘didn’t tell family’
by Alex MatthewsA POLICE probe has been launched over claims a mum-of-two died after NHS hospital doctors gave her a paracetamol overdose by accident and did not tell her family.
Laura Higginson, 30, died during treatment for suspected pneumonia at Whiston Hospital in Merseyside in April 2017.
Despite the death being reported to the coroner, an inquest was never held.
Mrs Higginson’s husband Antony claims he was not told about the alleged paracetamol blunder and found out months later from his GP while receiving treatment for grief.
The cause of Mrs Higginson’s death was given as multi-organ failure and liver cirrhosis, which her family think was caused by the painkiller.
Her husband has now accused the hospital of a “cover up”.
Revealing the moment he was told about the paracetamol dose, Mr Higginson told the Daily Mail: “I was apoplectic.
“How had the hospital not told me? The fact is it wasn’t Laura’s time to die.
How had the hospital not told me? The fact is it wasn’t Laura’s time to die.Antony Higginson
“The children and I would give anything to have another hour with her.”
Whiston Hospital denies the allegations that the dose contributed to Mrs Higginson’s death and claims complications from a genetic kidney disorder she suffered were responsible.
The mum-of-two’s condition, called Gitelman syndrome, meant she was severly underweight when admitted to hospital on April 5 2017, after collapsing at home in Widnes, Cheshire.
During her treatment it is alleged doctors admistered intravenous paracetamol but gave her the usual dose for an adult female – rather than one suitable for a person of her small size and frame.
TRAGIC DEATH
Doctors only realised their mistake two days later as her condition worsened, it is believed.
She was given anti-toxicity drugs but did not recover and died in intensive care.
Mr Higginson said the trauma of taking his young children to say goodbye to their mother still “haunts” him.
He told the Mail: “That image of seeing the children on the bed crying and making promises to her... My daughter holding Laura’s hand trying to stroke her own face haunts me.
“I will never recover from seeing the three most precious things in my life in such pain.”
My daughter holding Laura’s hand trying to stroke her own face haunts me.Antony Higginson
On Thursday, an inquest into Mrs Higginson's death was opened and adjourned to a date to be fixed, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens coroner's office said.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that an investigation is currently under way following the death of Laura Higginson at Whiston Hospital on April 19 2017.
"As such it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."
LONG WAIT
John Doyle, principal lawyer at Slater and Gordon, who are representing the family, said: "The trust have now, after three years, admitted that administering the paracetamol overdose was negligent, however they continue to deny it caused or contributed to Laura's death.
"Given Laura's incredibly tragic premature death, it is disappointing Mr Higginson and the family has had to wait so long, but it is right that the failings are now recognised by the trust and due process is followed.
"Independent expert evidence we commissioned was provided to the coroner and we welcome her decision to open the inquest."
A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "The trust offers its sincere condolences to the family of the late Mrs Higginson.
"Following her death, an immediate and thorough investigation was carried out.