Mum died 'after being given too much paracetamol by accident'

A police investigation has been launched into the death of a woman in hospital.

Laura Higginson, 30, died at Whiston Hospital in Merseyside in April 2017.

A spokeswoman for St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said it accepted Mrs Higginson had been given a paracetamol overdose, but ‘expressly denied’ it had caused or contributed to her death.

On Thursday, an inquest into her 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 underway 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.’

Mrs Higginson’s husband Antony told The Times newspaper he had only discovered his wife, who had a rare genetic condition called Gitelman syndrome, had been given an overdose months after her death.

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.

‘The findings of independent clinical experts do not concur with the views of Mr Higginson and will be presented to the coroner during the inquest.’

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