Mother dies from sepsis after botched surgery at Good Hope Hospital

Jessica Bonner, a 51-year-old mother of two, was admitted to Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, in October for pelvic pain and fibroids. Following a CT scan, doctors suspected a perforated bowel, which required emergency surgery. Unfortunately, a post-mortem examination revealed that she died from sepsis due to a bowel perforation sustained during a hysterectomy. The investigation highlighted that the surgical equipment used was not approved by NHS policies, and there were significant communication failures among the medical staff. The delays in diagnosing her condition contributed to her deteriorating health. Ms. Bonner was not physically examined until late in the day, by which time her abdomen had already swollen, indicating a serious issue. An urgent CT scan was ordered, but her condition worsened, leading to two cardiac arrests and multi-organ failure, ultimately resulting in her death. Her family expressed their grief and frustration over the lack of answers regarding her care. They emphasized the emotional toll of the inquest and the traumatic experience of learning about the hospital's shortcomings. They believe that had her injury been detected sooner, she might have survived. In response to this tragedy, the NHS Trust has made several recommendations to improve patient safety and care. A spokesperson for the Trust extended their condolences and committed to learning from this incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment of conditions like sepsis.