A jury will examine the inquest into the death of 18-year-old Megan Draper, who died of meningitis during her first term at Bournemouth University, with a coroner determining whether her death could have been preventable.
Ms Draper, from Pontypool in South Wales, died on October 29 2025 after becoming unwell while studying physiotherapy at the university.
Coroner rules jury mandatory
At a pre-inquest review hearing in Bournemouth, coroner Brendan Allen confirmed that a jury would preside over the full inquest because Ms Draper's death resulted from a notifiable disease.
He stated: "It's a matter of law if there is reason to suspect someone died of a notifiable disease then it's mandatory and I am satisfied this inquest must be heard with a jury."
Mr Allen outlined that the inquest's remit would cover Ms Draper's interaction with the NHS 111 service, the assessment at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, her out-of-hours care and her subsequent admission to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
Inquest to examine preventability
The coroner further indicated that the inquest would examine whether "Megan's death was preventable".
Mr Allen requested that Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the non-emergency NHS 111 service locally, submit a statement detailing Ms Draper's call and its call-handling protocols.
Mr Allen conveyed his sympathies to Ms Draper's family and postponed the inquest, provisionally scheduling it to commence on July 19 2027.
