A newlywed author died from multiple organ failure after developing sepsis following gallbladder surgery, an inquest has heard. Hayley Hutchins, 37, died three months after the operation at Royal Oldham Hospital.
The hospital trust, Northern Care Alliance, has apologised to Hayley's family and set out a number of recommendations following an investigation into her care. At an inquest at Preston Coroner's Court, a coroner noted a number of failings in her care, LancsLive reports.
Passionate writer despite dyslexia
The inquest heard that Hayley was a passionate writer, despite struggling with dyslexia. She had written a number of novels and completed a masters degree in creative writing, hoping one day to continue to PhD level. Her most recent book was a steampunk novel, and in 2024, she married her husband Andrew in a steampunk-themed wedding at Preston Marriott Hotel.
On March 23, 2025, Hayley was admitted to Royal Oldham Hospital as she was jaundiced and unwell. She was considered to be a high risk for surgery due to underlying health conditions and a high BMI. However, despite the risks, a decision was taken to remove her gallbladder as it was the only treatment option available.
Procedure escalated to open surgery
The procedure was expected to be a keyhole procedure; however, due to complications, it escalated to open surgery during the operation. Once her gallbladder had been removed, Hayley was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit as planned for postoperative care. However, she contracted influenza and COVID on the unit, the inquest heard.
From that point, staff developed 'tunnel vision', the inquest heard, focusing on those conditions and overlooking the large volume of fluid in Hayley's surgical drain indicating her recovery was not as straightforward as had been hoped. Hayley's mum Julie, a retired senior nurse, told the inquest the family repeatedly flagged the issue to staff. However, it was only 12 days later that medics referred Hayley for an ERCP procedure to insert a stent into her bile duct to manage the fluid - a procedure which would normally be carried out within seven days of surgery, the inquest heard.
Stent incorrectly placed
However, the stent was incorrectly placed, and a second ERCP was carried out on April 14 to correct the mistake. Following the procedure, Hayley's infection markers began to decline and on May 23 she was deemed suitable for discharge. She returned to her husband's bungalow in Woodplumpton, Lancs, but was still very unwell. She had lost mobility and was frail following her stay in hospital but the inquest heard there was no clinical need for her to remain in the infirmary.
On June 21, Hayley collapsed at the bungalow and was rushed to Royal Preston Hospital by ambulance. She was in septic shock and her organs were failing, the inquest heard. She was placed on the Intensive Care Unit where efforts were made to stabilise her condition. A further ERCP procedure was carried out which showed the stent was correctly placed but was blocked with debris.
Postmortem findings
Hayley remained on the ICU until July 17 when her care was stepped down. Initially she made a slow but steady recovery on the ward but on August 24 she suffered an acute decline and returned to intensive care. Her organs continued to decline and she died on September 2, 2025. A postmortem found she died from multiple organ failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition contributed to by obesity and biliary sepsis.
An inquest was opened into Hayley's death and her family raised a number of concerns and complaints about her treatment at Royal Oldham Hospital. They questioned whether she had been discharged with sepsis which had ultimately led to her death two months later. However, experts said the deterioration would have happened much sooner, and the biliary sepsis she had on admission to Royal Preston Hospital was likely to be a new occurrence. The coroner said Hayley would have had less strength to fight the infection due to deconditioning during her stay in Oldham.
The family also complained about poor communication and nursing care at Oldham, with Hayley's mum telling the inquest the family remained at her bedside 24/7 as they were so worried about the standard of care she was receiving.
Coroner's conclusion
Area coroner for Lancashire, Kate Bissett said: "It is abundantly clear that Hayley Rachael Hutchins was a very much loved wife, daughter, daughter in law, niece, or put another way, person. She was talented, creative and determined and her death represents a horrific tragedy for all who knew and loved her."
Ms Bissett added: "I am truly saddened to hear of the family's experience and concerns at the Oldham hospital, which I have no doubt added to the trauma, horror and grief of the loss of Hayley. This inquest has, by legal necessity, focused on matters which are permissible for me to consider. The law does not let me do anything about poor nursing, or terrible communication. But I have no doubt on the basis of that which I have heard and read, that your experience and Hayley's experience fell far below the standards of care she was entitled to expect and I am truly sorry for that."
Ms Bissett recorded a narrative conclusion, stating: "Hayley Rachael Hutchins died on the 2nd September 2025 at the Royal Preston Hospital as a consequence of dilated cardiomyopathy. Mrs Hutchins had a number of health conditions and had been admitted to the Royal Oldham Hospital in March of 2025 where she underwent surgery for gall bladder issues. Following the surgery, Mrs Hutchins required further interventions to resolve a bile duct leak. Mrs Hutchins made an initial recovery and was discharged home but on the 21st of June 2025 was taken by ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital in septic shock. Despite treatment at Royal Preston Hospital to resolve biliary sepsis, she continued to deteriorate and died as a result of her underlying dilated cardiomyopathy. Her death was contributed to by biliary sepsis which hastened her death from underlying cardiac cause."
During the inquest, Dr Muhammed Iftikhar apologised to Hayley's family and said a number of changes would be implemented to improve patient care. Ms Bissett said she would share her findings with the area coroner covering Oldham to ensure she was aware of Hayley's case, should similar problems arise in the future.
