Halstead woman with history of cancer died following medical procedure, inquest hears

A 72-year-old woman, who had a history of cancer, died following an operation to insert a feeding tube, an inquest has heard this week.

Margaret Coote, a resident of Halstead, had been admitted to Ipswich Hospital for the procedure in May.

The inquest into her death, which took place on Monday morning at Suffolk Coroners Court in Ipswich, heard that the tube was fitted on Wednesday, May 8.

The day after the procedure, Mrs Coote’s condition began to deteriorate, and a decision was subsequently taken that her condition would have to be managed conservatively.

The inquest was told that Mrs Coote died later the same day, on Thursday, May 9.

Assistant Suffolk Coroner Dr Daniel Sharpstone recorded a conclusion that Mrs Coote died as a result of complications of infection of a feeding tube, against a background of head and neck cancer.