Crowthorne, United Kingdom – Michael Nye tragically passed away at Royal Berks Hospital after suffering a heart attack on November 15, 2022. His death has sparked an investigation into whether hospital staff failed to recognize the signs of sepsis, which he had contracted during a national outbreak of Strep A that claimed the lives of at least two children.
The assistant coroner, Alison McCormick, recently concluded that Michael’s death was partly caused by the hospital staff’s failure to detect the signs of sepsis. During the inquest into his death at Reading Coroner’s Court, it was revealed that the medical professionals believed that a lack of prompt treatment may have increased his chances of survival. They also highlighted how the hospital staff had missed signs of a soft tissue infection, leading to advancing sepsis.
According to the findings presented at the inquest, Michael and his partner Vin had sought medical attention at the hospital after his GP advised him to do so due to flu-like symptoms, mottling on his skin, and swelling on his neck. Despite being classified as the “sickest patient on the ward,” the level of care provided by the medical staff was deemed inadequate.
Coroner Alison McCormick made a clear distinction between “failure” and “gross failure” on the part of the hospital, stating that there is no definitive line between the two. She emphasized the importance of training and education for clinical staff on recognizing atypical symptoms of sepsis, as well as the need for timely reporting and diagnosis.
In light of the findings, a report will be compiled for the Royal Berkshire Hospital Trust to address the identified failings and propose specific solutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The coroner also expressed concerns about the potential risk of further deaths and urged the implementation of measures to mitigate these risks.
As the inquest concluded, Coroner Alison McCormick expressed gratitude to the family for their unwavering courage throughout the process. She also acknowledged the valuable insights provided by the representatives and consultants involved in the investigation, underscoring the importance of such inquiries in addressing critical issues.