The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has explained its role in investigating the case of a woman who died following an E. coli infection after being criticized in a coroner’s report. An inquest concluded that Laura Farmer died from a stroke caused by an E.
coli infection. Following a diarrheal illness about 10 days earlier, the 46-year-old was admitted to University College Hospital in April 2024. She was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) caused by Shiga toxin-producing E.
coli (STEC). When thought to be in the recovery phase, she suffered an unexpected stroke and died. Coroner Mary Hassell said UKHSA was not called to give evidence at inquest as she had expected the agency would have shared relevant information with clinicians and the family.
“During the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. After death from E.
coli, there seems to have been no closing of the loop of safety information that could have assisted those most closely involved,” she said. UKHSA’s role in the investigation Hassell said Laura Farmer and her family found her E. coli infection challenging to understand.
She was a vegan who took great care with food preparation. As a family, they were extremely hygiene conscious, particularly as one of them has a nut allergy. UKHSA said as its officials were not contacted, all the relevant evidence was not considered in the coroner’s Pre.