Inquiry probes if mum's death was avoidable

Blackpool’s coroner has given an update in the investigation into the devastating death of a new mum.

Sarah Taylor died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in April, days after giving birth, with reports at the time suggesting she developed an infection after suffering complications linked to childbirth wounds associated with labour.

Speaking at a pre-inquest review at the town hall, coroner Alan Wilson said a post-mortem examination had been carried out, and said he would be asking if there was “sufficient vigilance” to make sure that what was needed was done.

He said: “We will be exploring what happened, and could it have been avoided?”

The hearing was told attempts were made to contact a GP at South King Medical Centre in the resort to ask for a home visit, but an automated response said that, if a patient was mobile enough, a GP would not offer one.

Mr Wilson also said he would be looking into the hospital’s care, including whether there was a plan in place prior to discharge post-delivery, whether there was going to be an ECG (electrocardiogram – a simple test to check the heart’s rhythm and electrical activity), and a question of missing information at the point of delivery.

Mr Wilson said the inquest, which will hear from a number of independent experts, will be held in January. It will seek to determine the facts of Ms Taylor’s death.

Public health officials met with Vic chiefs amid an investigation carried out amid a backdrop of grief earlier this year. Tributes were paid to Ms Taylor as the hospital offered its condolences.