Barnet Hospital A&E care failure led to mum's death, coroner rules

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust has apologised to the family of Anna Gaia Esposito, who died after what the North London coroner described as a failure to provide basic medical care at Barnet Hospital. Ms Esposito, 31, attended A&E on March 31 last year with a high temperature, rash, and an ear infection. She had the immune disorder lupus.

Instead of being admitted to hospital and placed on the sepsis pathway, Ms Esposito was sent home. She returned to the hospital two days later, on April 2, already in multi-organ failure caused by septic shock. She died in hospital on April 3.

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Coroner's Findings

North London coroner Andrew Walker ruled that the decision not to admit Ms Esposito on March 31 constituted a failure to provide basic medical care. Mr Walker stated that had a further period of observation or admission been undertaken, the outcome might have changed. At that point, Ms Esposito was showing signs of physiological derangement and was considered at medium risk.

The coroner also concluded that the administration of steroids to Ms Esposito probably accelerated the development of sepsis due to her compromised immunity. Her mother, Maria Mosaria, expressed deep pain and unanswered questions regarding the circumstances of her daughter's death.

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Trust's Response and Family's Reaction

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement sharing heartfelt condolences and apologising for not identifying and treating Ms Esposito's sepsis sooner. Following an investigation, the trust has strengthened its approach to sepsis recognition and response. This includes enhanced training for clinical staff, real-time digital alerts for clinicians to identify patients at risk of sepsis, and a mandatory assessment process for faster diagnosis and treatment.

Despite the trust's apology, Ms Esposito's family remains shocked by the care failings and devastated that her son will grow up without his mother. Fieldfisher law firm represented the family at the inquest and is involved in an ongoing medical negligence claim.

“This tragic case, which resulted in the loss of a young mother, is a stark reminder of the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms of sepsis at the earliest opportunity, particularly in patients with weakened immune systems. We welcome the trust's acceptance of responsibility and hope that lessons are learned to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.”

Marcos Eleftheriou, Solicitor at Fieldfisher

Next Steps

The family is pursuing an ongoing medical negligence claim through Fieldfisher law firm. The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust has stated it has implemented measures to improve sepsis identification and treatment.