Coroner finds admin error led to worse care

A coroner has found a mistake on a form led to worse care for an 88-year-old woman who later died.

(c) Wesley Tingey/Unsplash

(c) Wesley Tingey/Unsplash

Oriel Vasey died on 5 March 2025 at Sunderland Royal Hospital after developing a pressure area on her sacrum which deteriorated and resulted in sepsis.

The inquest found a form completed by a mental health nurse for ICB and local authority funding and placement arrangements contained information relevant to a previous service user who had a penicillin allergy.

As a result of the information being added to Mrs Vasey's clinical record doctors repeatedly ruled out prescribing penicillin when her infection was identified, although the coroner said she could find evidence that this would have changed the outcome.

A North East and North Cumbria ICB spokesperson said: ‘We are saddened by the death of Mrs Vasey, and our thoughts are very much with her family and friends.

‘We take all concerns very seriously and we are working with our NHS partners to carefully review the coroner's findings.'

Turbo-charging neighbourhood health

Turbo-charging neighbourhood health

04 March 2026

Cllr Nick Kemp says three fundamental shifts are needed in order to get serious about neighbourhood health in the North East.

Holding Government to account

By Lee Peart 04 March 2026

Labour MP Paulette Hamilton explains how she helps hold the Government to account through her role as vice-chair of the Health and Social Care Committee

'Inconsistent' and 'variable': mixed review for SEND services

By Lee Peart 03 March 2026

SEND services in Sunderland have been described as ‘inconsistent’ and ‘variable’ by regulators.


Popular articles by Lee Peart