New mums died with herpes after being treated by same NHS surgeon 6 weeks apart

19 April 2023 , 20:06

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Kimberly Sampson was one of the mothers who died from an infection caused by the herpes virus

A hospital consultant said it did not cross his mind that a new mother who died shortly after giving birth “had herpes”.

Mid Kent and Medway Coroners is investigating the cases of Kimberly Sampson, 29, and Samantha Mulcahy, 32, who died in 2018 after the same obstetrician conducted their Caesareans.

They were treated six weeks apart in hospitals run by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust (EKHUT).

Both died with herpes shortly after giving birth and their families, who were at the hearing, have been waiting almost five years for answers.

Dr God’swill Etokowo, who worked alongside another surgeon who has been granted anonymity, to deliver Ms Mulcahy’s baby, told an inquest in Maidstone on Wednesday he noticed she was ill before the birth.

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He was “worried” after noticing she was clearly in “pain and discomfort” and was involved in the decision to conduct a C-section.

Samantha Mulcahy, seen here with her husband Ryan, died six weeks after Ms Sampson

Ms Mulcahy lost 700ml of blood during the procedure, the court was told.

She also had a rash close to her bottom and there were concerns over her having pre-eclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure condition, it was said.

Dr Etokowo said: “It didn’t cross my mind that she had herpes.

“I didn’t think she had herpes; she had a rash but I didn’t think it was a herpes rash.”

He added: “I was not convinced she had pre-eclampsia, personally, but there was, of course, a chance.”

The mums were treated six weeks apart in hospitals run by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust (PA)

Dr Etokowo said in hindsight he would have sent a blood test away if there was any doubt over whether Ms Mulcahy had an infection.

But he did not know about Ms Sampson’s death and how she died.

Herpes infections are commonly found around the genitals and face, often with mild symptoms.

Ms Sampson’s baby boy – her second child – was delivered at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate in May 2018.

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She died at the end of the month in hospital in London after becoming infected.

Yvette Sampson, mother of Kimberley Sampson had been calling for inquests into the deaths (BBC)

In July, first-time mother Mrs Mulcahy died from an infection caused by the same virus at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

In March, coroner Catherine Wood accepted an application from the trust to give anonymity to the surgeon common to both cases.

The inquest continues.

Ted Hennessey