Jury call after childbirth death

Portland Hospital treats celebrity mothers

A lawyer for the family of a woman who died after a Caesarean section has demanded a jury inquest be held into her death.

Tracey Sampson died on 6 April, the day after her third son was delivered at Portland Hospital in central London, which has treated celebrity mothers.

Mrs Sampson, a beauty therapist, was transferred to St Mary's Hospital in nearby Paddington after becoming ill following the successful birth of her son.

Her death came two years after the death of Laura Touche, who also had a Caesarean operation at the hospital.

There is very real reason to suspect...that something has gone seriously, very wrong

Philip Havers QC

Post mortem examinations showed Mrs Sampson died of acute cardiac failure, Professor Sebastian Lucas, told a hearing at Westminster Coroner's Court on Friday.

Philip Havers QC, for the family, said the law states there must be a jury inquest if there is "reason to suspect the circumstances of the death were such that appropriate steps ought to be taken to avoid them happening again".

There is reason to suspect this was the case over Mrs Sampson's death, he said.

After she developed breathing difficulties, it was decided to transfer Mrs Sampson, 36, from Maida Vale, north west London, to intensive care at St Mary's Hospital, but it took an hour-and-a-quarter for her to get there.

'Real treatment'

"There is very real reason to suspect here that something has gone seriously, very wrong with the transfer of this patient to the intensive care unit," Mr Havers said.

Colin Mendoza, for Portland Hospital, said that in the meantime "very real treatment" had been given, adding that Mrs Sampson died some time later the following day.

Christina Lambert, representing consultant obstetrician Tiong Teoh and consultant anaesthetist Dr Kenneth Macleod, said: "There is not a shred of evidence that something may have gone wrong in this case."

'Absolutely tragic'

She added the "prime concern" of medical staff was saving Mrs Sampson - not checking the accuracy of the clocks.

Coroner Dr Paul Knapman told the hearing he would decide in the next few days whether the inquest should have a jury.

After the hearing Portland Hospital chief executive Judy van den Broek said: "Tracey Sampson's death, following the birth of her third son, is absolutely tragic.

"Our thoughts continue to be with the family."