Woman's death from swallowing pens was 'avoidable'

Chloe Hunt was 21 when she died at Colchester Hospital after swallowing four pens

The death of a 21-year-old woman who swallowed four pens could have been avoided had they been removed earlier, a coroner said.

Chloe Hunt, who had a history of self-harm, was admitted to Colchester Hospital on 11 March 2022 for abdominal pain after swallowing the pens, and died four days later.

In a prevention of future deaths report, Essex coroner Sonia Hayes said her death could have been avoided had the pens in her stomach and duodenum been removed earlier.

Dr Angela Tillett, chief medical officer at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to Chloe’s family for their loss."

'Otherwise physically healthy'

Dr Tillett said the trust took the concerns raised very seriously.

When arriving at the accident and emergency department, Miss Hunt spoke to a doctor and outlined her background of complex trauma and how difficult it was for her to be in a hospital.

In the report, the coroner said this was not factored into a plan for treatment.

She also said there was a lack of urgency when it came to treating Ms Hunt and a lack of recognition of her deteriorating clinical condition.

While at the hospital, Ms Hunt was tachycardic, meaning her heart was beating much faster than usual, and she had low blood pressure.

In the report, Ms Hayes said there had been no investigation of the underlying cause of this in a "young and otherwise physically healthy woman".

Dr Tillett said: "The trust's full response to those concerns will be shared with the coroner in due course.

"We are, however, committed to take forward any lessons learned from Chloe's death to better our processes and services.”