Crowthorne, UK – An inquest into the death of Michael Nye, a resident of Crowthorne, has raised concerns about the quality of care provided at Royal Berkshire Hospital. Nye died after presenting symptoms of sepsis following a national outbreak of Strep A, which had claimed the lives of at least two children. His death, which occurred on November 15, 2022, was ruled by assistant coroner Alison McCormick to have been partly caused by medical staff failing to recognize the signs of sepsis.
During the inquest at Reading Coroner’s Court, medical professionals testified that quicker treatment could have potentially increased Nye’s chances of survival. They also highlighted the failure of doctors at Royal Berkshire Hospital to detect signs of a soft tissue infection that led to advancing sepsis. Nye and his partner had sought medical attention at the hospital after being advised by his GP due to flu-like symptoms, mottling on his skin, and swelling in his neck. Despite being declared the ‘sickest patient on the ward’, it was determined that there were multiple factors contributing to an inadequate level of care provided by the hospital staff.
In her verdict, coroner Alison McCormick differentiated between “failure” and “gross failure” on the part of the hospital. She emphasized the need for training and education of all clinical staff on atypical symptoms of sepsis, especially when there are indications of a high lactate level. She also called for the cessation of delays in blood tests and notifications. Furthermore, a report is set to be compiled for the Royal Berkshire Hospital Trust to address the key failings identified and to propose specific solutions in order to prevent any further avoidable deaths.
The conclusion of the inquest prompted the coroner to express concerns about the risk of other deaths and the need for actions to reduce these risks. She also thanked the family and all those involved in the inquest for their courage, composure, and resilience throughout the process. The verdict in the case of Michael Nye has brought to light the crucial need for improved training and intensified efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future.