University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust has announced the implementation of significant safety improvements following the tragic death of Tammy Mackenzie at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.
Tammy Mackenzie, 41, passed away on August 6, 2023, shortly after her daughter, Khloe, was stillborn. The inquest revealed that earlier intervention, including a timely MRI scan, could have increased the chances of survival for both mother and child.
At 28 weeks pregnant, Tammy was admitted to Heartlands Hospital’s emergency department on July 26, experiencing abdominal pain and vomiting. Despite emergency surgery, including a cesarean section after Tammy’s condition rapidly worsened, the outcome was devastating.
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The inquest highlighted “missed opportunities” to diagnose and treat a small bowel obstruction earlier, which may have saved both lives. Tammy’s family sought clarity on potential delays in diagnosis and surgery.
Following the coroner’s findings, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged the shortcomings and has taken steps to improve patient safety. A spokesperson expressed deep condolences and outlined the trust’s commitment to learning from this tragic incident.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Tammy’s family. The loss of a mother and baby is profoundly heartbreaking,” the spokesperson said. “An internal review has been completed, and we have acted on the findings to enhance our care procedures. Several changes have already been made to minimize the risk of recurrence. We remain dedicated to providing safe, compassionate care and embedding these lessons across all our services.”
Assistant Coroner Ian Dreelan concluded that Tammy’s death was from natural causes but was “contributed to by missed opportunities” arising from delayed diagnosis of the small bowel obstruction. He emphasized that earlier MRI scanning and intervention might have improved the prognosis for both Tammy and her daughter.