Woman 'died of neglect' amid junior doctors' strike

Daphne Austin did not receive any medical input on one of the strike days, a report said

A coroner has concluded a woman's death was "more likely than not" the result of neglect during the junior doctors' strike.

Daphne Austin died from sepsis while being cared for at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary after having a stroke on 22 May 2023.

Writing in a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, Cumbria coroner Robert Cohen said vital blood testing was not carried out after Ms Austin developed an acute kidney injury, which was probably down to a lack of planning for the industrial action.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust acknowledged "opportunities were missed" and added some practices had improved. The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents junior doctors, has been approached for comment.

The report stated Ms Austin's glucose levels were poorly controlled and she became dehydrated as her fluid balance was "not monitored in an effective manner".

On 14 June, it became apparent the 71-year-old had sustained an acute kidney injury but blood testing was not carried out "more likely than not" because of the junior doctors' strike, which began on the same day and lasted until 17 June.

'Missed opportunities'

The coroner said he received evidence that planning had gone into preparing the trust for the strikes, however one consultant said on 14 June she had to "look after nearly 25 patients" and Ms Austin "did not receive any medical input that day".

Mr Cohen raised concerns the "planning that seeks to ensure safe levels of cover during periods of industrial action was insufficient".

In a statement, the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust offered its condolences to Ms Austin's loved ones, adding its "initial findings indicate that some opportunities were missed to improve the care delivered to Ms Austin", and it was "reviewing the full findings to consider what other lessons can be learned".

The trust also said it had "worked with the clinical team to improve the way that fluid intake is monitored" and added this had been acknowledged by the coroner in court.