Hospital staff didn't listen to dying Bristol student, say parents
Maddy Lawrence developed sepsis at Southmead Hospital after dislocating her hip
Last updated 22nd Mar 2024
The parents of a young woman who died in Bristol after developing sepsis in hospital, say staff did not listen to her screams of pain.
Maddy Lawrence who was 20 was admitted to Southmead Hospital in March 2022 after dislocating a hip whilst playing rugby for the University of the West of England (UWE) where she was a student, against the University of Bristol.
She passed away two weeks later from multiple organ failure after a deterioration in her condition wasn't recognised.
Speaking to Sky News, Maddy's mum Karen Lawrence said: "You put your faith and trust in the medical profession.
"We didn't make a fuss because (we thought) they must know what they are doing.
"Had we (done so), she would have still been with us."
An inquest into Maddy's death held last year concluded "neglect" by staff at the hospital contributed to her death.
Summing up the case the coroner concluded there were a number of failings in Maddy's care meaning signs of her deteriorating condition were not acted upon when they should have been.
For example, her condition was not observed over a 16-hour period.
"She should have been home by the weekend," Karen told Sky News.
"She wasn't listened to in screams of pain...and was considered to be a difficult patient.
"She must have been in absolute agony."
Karen's comments come with NHS England set to rollout Martha's Rule in April.
The new law will allow patients or their family members to request a second opinion if they are worried about a person not getting the care they need.
It is named after 13-year-old Martha Mills who died in 2021 after developing sepsis while at King's College Hospital in London.
Speaking after the conclusion of Maddy's inquest a spokesperson for North Bristol NHS Trust said: "As a parent, I can think of nothing worse than knowing there were missed opportunities which could have affected Maddy’s outcome.
"Despite the rarity of Maddy’s condition and the heroic efforts of many of our clinical teams, we acknowledge, and apologise for, the omissions in her care.
"Beyond our apology we will reflect carefully on the findings of the coroner.
"The coroner noted the actions that we have already taken, and we recognise the improvements we still need to make..."
Since Maddy's death her parents have set up a charity in her name, called Maddy's Mark.
Throughout this month they have been encouraging people to fundraise through an event called Maddy's March.