In 2018, whilst on a family holiday at Butlins in Bognor Regis, James Manning choked on a piece of sausage at the resort. This led to his death in hospital some time later due to an ischaemic hypoxic brain injury

Prior to this incident James had a history of choking and breathing difficulties. He had been referred to Conquest hospital managed by East Sussex, where he was diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and severe obstructive sleep apnoea. He was referred to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for an outpatient appointment to be assessed for an Adenoidtonsillectomy for which he was waiting when the choking incident at Butlins occurred.

The Inquest was initially resumed in January 2020 but was adjourned part heard in order for the Coroner to obtain expert evidence. After hearing a further five days of evidence in March 2021, HM Assistant Coroner for West Sussex concluded that James’ death was accidental and that, while there were some delays in his referral from Conquest Hospital to Royal Sussex Hospital, these could not be said to have contributed to his death.

Darragh Coffey, instructed by Lizzie Turner at Capsticks, represented East Sussex Health Care (ESHC) NHS Trust.

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