Caroline Wood instructed to represent GP and nurse in Tetanus death

Caroline Wood was instructed to represent a GP and a nurse in relation to the death of  BHW from tetanus. BHW had fallen in his garden and suffered a cut to his hand. Due to his age it was not known if he had ever had the prophylactic tetanus vaccine, which programme which was introduced in the 1950’s. When BHW attended A & E he was incorrectly given a booster of the vaccine when he should have been given Tetanus immunoglobulin. The discharge note incorrectly  indicated the correct tetanus immunoglobulin vaccine had been given.  BHW telephoned his GP complaining of neck pain. The GP checked the A & E discharge note and was reassured that the correct vaccine, tetanus immunoglobulin, had been given, which she noted in the medical records. The neck pain was attributed to the fall. Safety netting advice was given. BHW attended at hospital 2 days later when tetanus was diagnosed. The inquest was attended by an expert microbiologist who thought that tetanus should have been suspected by the GP when BHW telephoned complaining of neck pain. The Coroner did not accept any fault on the part of the GP and it was determined that, by the time of the attendance at hospital, treatment would not have been successful. 

Caroline is regularly instructed in inquests acting for bereaved families, individual interested persons and for public or corporate bodies including ‘Article 2’ and jury inquests. The vast majority of inquests she attends relate to deaths arising in or linked to provision of healthcare such as in hospitals, care homes and deaths in custody, which dovetails with her clinical negligence work.

Should you wish to discuss any aspect of Caroline’s coronial practice please contact her regulatory clerks:

Madeleine Gray on 0113 202 8603

Patrick Urbina 0113 213 250