A 36-year-old mother of three, Louise Harvey, died of a pulmonary embolism 16 days after plastic surgery. As an inpatient, one dose of prophylactic anticoagulants was given late, a second dose was not given and she was not provided with prophylactic anticoagulant medication when discharged. She subsequently collapsed and was taken to hospital, where she later died.
In addition to several factual witnesses, the five-day Inquest considered extensive medical expert evidence from a plastic surgery expert and two haematology experts. Ultimately, Area Coroner Yvonne Blake found that the lack of medication did not cause or contribute to her death.
There were five ‘Interested Persons’ in the Inquest. Caroline Cross, instructed by Tim Deeming of Tees Law, represented the family. Christopher Mellor, instructed by Sian Davies and Jason Howarth of Keoghs, represented the Administrators for Transform, the company that managed the hospital at the time. Matthew Flinn, instructed by Carolyn Stevenson of Kennedys, represented the Resident Medical Officer.
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