A tragic incident unfolded as a beautician, Zoe Tighe, and her unborn child lost their lives due to a failure to detect her pregnancy during multiple visits to the local hospital. Zoe, 22, sought medical help at the A&E four times within six weeks for lower abdominal pain without realizing she was pregnant. Despite her symptoms, medical staff at the hospital did not conduct a pregnancy test and treated her for a recurring urinary tract infection instead.
After collapsing at home, Zoe was rushed to the NHS James Paget Hospital, where she was diagnosed with sepsis. A subsequent scan revealed she was 14 weeks pregnant, but the baby had already succumbed to the infection. Zoe was transferred to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where she tragically passed away following three cardiac arrests after giving birth to her miscarried baby.
During the inquest at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, concerns were raised about the missed opportunity to save both lives if the pregnancy had been detected earlier. Zoe’s family’s legal representative emphasized the necessity of pregnancy tests during her visits to the James Paget Hospital. It was noted that she had been admitted to the emergency department multiple times due to complications linked to a urinary tract infection, possibly exacerbated by ketamine misuse.
Zoe had a history of ketamine misuse, leading to severe health issues, including bladder fibrosis and frequent UTIs. Despite undergoing rehabilitation and striving to improve her health, she continued to battle chronic pain. Her mother, Jane Tighe, highlighted Zoe’s struggles with pain, relapse, and inadequate medical attention during her visits to the hospital.
The inquest revealed the severity of Zoe’s condition before her tragic collapse at home. Despite being critically ill upon arrival at the hospital, the revelation of her pregnancy shocked everyone, although the unborn child had already passed away. The consultant who attended to her delivery expressed surprise at the lack of routine pregnancy testing during Zoe’s visits to the hospital.
Zoe’s mother expressed her belief that timely awareness of the pregnancy could have led Zoe to prioritize her health and seek appropriate support for the baby’s sake. Mrs. Tighe emphasized that Zoe, beyond her substance abuse issues, was a caring individual who deserved comprehensive care, urging for justice and improved practices in healthcare. The provisional cause of Zoe’s death was attributed to sepsis, urinary tract infection, missed miscarriage, with ketamine misuse as a contributing factor.
The ongoing inquest is expected to conclude today, shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
