Inquest into death of Denise Johnson from Ipswich adjourned

Denise Johnson died at the age of 42 in Ipswich Hospital on November 24, 2022, a day before she was due to have an operation. 

During the two day hearing this week the court heard how Mrs Johnson was admitted to hospital on August 12, 2022, and a CT scan showed she had a blocked bile duct and gallstones.

Suffolk Coroners Court heard how she underwent an ERCP procedure to help treat the bile duct, but, unfortunately, she suffered complications which led to her developing pancreatitis.

On Tuesday, Dr Yinka Fashedemi gave evidence on the post mortem that was completed following the mum-of-three's death.

Denise Johnson passed away on November 24, 2022 (Image: Emily Clack)

He said that the medical cause of death was due to multi-organ failure caused by severe e coli septicaemia and acute necrotic pancreatitis.

The post mortem found that in the mum-of-three's lungs she also had severe bronchopneumonia, which meant she had "no chance of surviving".

Also giving evidence, was Professor Brian Davidson, an expert in HPB, a field that focuses on liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and the pancreas.

Professor Davidson told the inquest: "She was suffering from thrombosis in the blood vessels and this was causing her to become unwell and so she developed other issues, so it was all a vicious cycle."

He also mentioned that endoscopy drains are becoming more common now, but these would not have worked in Mrs Johnson's case due to the radiology drains going in early.

He said: "On November 6, when Addenbrooke's said that 140mililitres of fluid was being extracted from the collection through the drains, I would say that there is significant control of the pancreatic sepsis.

"There was good drainage of the collections that were there."

Coroner Dan Sharpstone asked the expert if by not inserting any more drains into Mrs Johnson after October 28 it could "more than minimally" have contributed to Mrs Johnson's death.

Prof. Davidson told the court "no".

The counsel for Mrs Johnson family said it would be making three submissions to the coroner addressing concerns including about her care.

In addition they would make a submission for a prevention of future deaths report.

Mrs Johnson's inquest was then adjourned until December 10 when the coroner will hear final submissions.

The coroner will then give his summary before concluding the inquest.