Baby died from sepsis after mishandled biopsy, inquest hears

A 10 day old baby died of sepsis following a biopsy after doctors gave her the wrong antibiotics, sent her home too early, and failed to get her parents’ informed consent, an inquest has heard.

Willow Rose Courtney-Thompson, who was born prematurely on 12 October 2024, had problems feeding and underwent a suction rectal biopsy at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to rule out the rare bowel condition Hirschsprung’s disease.

But an inquest heard the procedure was carried out without informed consent from her parents, Joseph and Lauren Courtney-Thompson, who were not made fully aware of its risks and benefits.

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Source: BMJ News, 25 November 2025