Just ten hours after the procedure, Willow was sent home but became very poorlyNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)
08:00, 24 Nov 2025Updated 08:12, 24 Nov 2025
Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson died from sepsis (SWNS)
A ten-day old baby girl died from sepsis after a biopsy was carried out without her parents’ consent, an inquest heard. Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson was born prematurely at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on October 12 last year.
She underwent a suction rectal biopsy on October 21 to rule out the rare bowel condition Hirschsprung’s disease. Medics performed the procedure without the proper consent from Willow’s parents Joseph and Lauren. Lauren said staff “proceeded while I was momentarily taking a phone call from my GP”.
Just ten hours after the procedure, Willow was sent home but became very poorly and would not feed. The next day she was found unresponsive at her home and her parents dialled 999. She was rushed back to hospital but she died of E.Coli sepsis as a result of the biopsy.
Joseph and Lauren Courtney-Thompson with Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson
Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard a catalogue of mistakes contributed to Willow’s death. The court heard the biopsy was performed in a treatment room which was lacking privacy and dignity and with frequent interruptions.
Willow did not receive the usual pre-procedure antibiotics designed to prevent an infection. Instead, she received two doses afterwards. The inquest concluded Willow would have survived had she remained in hospital for monitoring for 24 hours after her biopsy.
The coroner said subtle signs of sepsis may have been identified and treated earlier. The inquest was told after Willow’s biopsy there was also confusion between the surgeons and neo-natal teams. The surgical team expected Willow to be monitored overnight, but the neonatal team discharged her, believing she could go home.
Joseph, 28, and Lauren, 27, from Brackley, Northants., say they hope lessons will be learned to prevent another tragedy. Heartbroken Lauren said: “The hurt and pain we wake with each day over Willow’s death is still as strong now as it was at the time she passed away.
“Having so many questions as to whether more could have been done to help her has added to our grief. The inquest and reliving what happened has been particularly distressing, but it was the least we could do to get answers and honour our beautiful girl’s memory.
“The hardest thing to try and come to terms with is how Willow’s death followed a biopsy that we weren’t properly informed about. We weren’t warned of any risks connected to the biopsy, including potential infection, and hadn’t given consent.
“Staff proceeded while I was momentarily taking a phone call from my GP.”
Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson
Lauren added: “Willow was a sassy, cheeky but content little girl. She was adorable and never fussed. Although Willow only got ten days of life, she still managed to touch the hearts of very many people around us.
“Willow will always be part of our family. We were and still are besotted by our little girl who is greatly missed by all our family. We just hope that by speaking out we can help improve care for others as we wouldn’t anyone else to endure what our family have.”
Following Willow’s death, the couple instructed medical negligence lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care.
The couple’s lawyer Sara Burns said: “Willow’s loved ones remain devastated by her death and the extremely tragic nature of it. Understandably they’ve had a number of questions and concerns about the care Willow received in the lead up to her death.
“While we’re pleased to have been able to secure the answers Joseph and Lauren deserve, the inquest and legal claim have established worrying issues in Willow’s care.
“The effects of sepsis can be devastating with early diagnosis and treatment key to beating the condition. Therefore, it’s vital that lessons are learned from Willow’s tragic death to uphold patient safety for others.”
Professor Andrew Brent, Chief Medical Officer at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “What happened to baby Willow was deeply tragic, and nothing I say can begin to diminish the pain that I know Willow’s parents and family will be feeling.
“There were critical shortfalls in Willow’s care, and we didn’t get it right – for that, I am truly sorry. Along with my Trust colleagues, I have taken the time to investigate and reflect on what happened.
“We have ensured that important lessons have been learnt about the care we provided to Willow, and we have made changes to our clinical practice to do everything possible to prevent this from happening again. However, I know this doesn’t change what has happened. Once again, and on behalf of the Trust, I offer my deepest and unreserved apologies to Willow’s parents and family for the poor care we provided to baby Willow.”