Hospital 'sorry' after errors lead to girl's death

A hospital has apologised after errors contributed to the death of a 15-year-old girl in its care.

Isla Mae Hudson, from Whiston, Staffordshire, died from complications caused by an intermittent bowel obstruction at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on 13 September 2023.

An inquest into her death held on Tuesday found multiple doses of morphine, prescribed for her pain relief, caused respiratory depression which contributed to her death.

In the record of inquest, assistant coroner Duncan Ritchie also said delays in getting a CT scan led to her condition "not being diagnosed promptly".

He said the "necessary immediate surgical intervention" was not performed once the possibility of a volvulus, a blockage caused by twisting of the stomach or intestine, was indicated on a CT scan on the evening of 12 September 2023.

Mr Ritchie recorded the medical cause of death as colonic ischaemia and respiratory depression caused my multiple doses of morphine, as well as myotonic dystrophy, progressive muscle weakening or wasting.

He gave a conclusion of natural causes "contributed to by adverse effects of pain relief medication".

Ann-Marie Riley, chief nurse at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family of Isla and are truly sorry that her care fell below the standard she was entitled to receive."

She said there had been an "extensive review" into Isla's care and changes had been made to the hospital's practices and procedures.

"We will be closely monitoring improvement actions to ensure learning from her case is embedded," she added.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.