The grieving family of a pregnant mother who tragically passed away following what they describe as a critical diagnosis delay at a Birmingham hospital have paid heartfelt tribute to her memory. Tammy Mackenzie, a 41-year-old mother of four, lost her life at Heartlands Hospital in August 2023, mere days after her daughter Khloe was delivered stillborn.
Inquest Reveals Missed Opportunities
An emotional inquest this week heard compelling evidence that both Tammy and her unborn baby daughter Khloe were "more likely to have survived" had medical staff at the Birmingham facility acted more promptly. Assistant coroner Ian Dreelan delivered the sobering conclusion that multiple opportunities to diagnose Tammy's underlying condition were missed, opportunities that could potentially have saved both lives.
Timeline of Tragic Events
Tammy Mackenzie had been admitted to Heartlands Hospital with severe vomiting and abdominal pain. Medical records indicate that an MRI scan was recommended on July 26th to investigate her condition thoroughly. However, this crucial diagnostic procedure did not take place until four days later, on July 30th, when it finally confirmed a diagnosis of small bowel obstruction.
By this time, Tammy's condition had deteriorated alarmingly. On August 1st, medical staff performed an emergency caesarean section in a desperate attempt to save both mother and child. Tragically, baby Khloe was delivered stillborn. Tammy was immediately transferred to intensive care but never recovered from the ordeal, passing away just days later on August 6th.
Family's Anguish and Legal Action
Tammy's devastated family have announced their intention to lodge a formal clinical negligence claim against University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation responsible for overseeing Heartlands Hospital. They believe that delays in both diagnosis and subsequent surgical intervention directly contributed to this heartbreaking double tragedy.
Her mother, Jacqueline Mackenzie, spoke movingly about her daughter's enduring legacy, emphasising Tammy's radiant smile and the profound happiness she brought to their lives. "Not only did we lose Tammy, but we also lost a beautiful baby, Khloe, who was stillborn following emergency surgery in an attempt to save Tammy's life," Jacqueline expressed through tears.
A Life Remembered
Tammy Mackenzie is remembered as a devoted mother to her four children - Corey, Louie, Savannah, and Charlie. Described by loved ones as a vibrant individual who cherished life's adventures, she particularly enjoyed travelling and creating joyful memories with her children. The family recently experienced the bittersweet arrival of what would have been Tammy's first grandchild, a poignant moment she should have been present to witness.
"We have all suffered in the weeks and years that have led to the conclusion into Tammy's death," Jacqueline continued. "We hope that errors like this never happen to any other young pregnant women again. It is clear from the inquest there were missed opportunities in her care and that leaves us devastated as a family."
Hospital Trust Responds
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust has issued a formal statement acknowledging the inquest's findings and expressing their deepest condolences to Tammy's family. A spokesperson confirmed that "a number of changes have already been implemented to reduce the risk of such circumstances occurring again" following an internal review conducted after the patient's death.
The Trust emphasised their commitment to learning from this tragic case, stating they have "taken forward the learning to strengthen our processes and improve the safety and quality of care." They remain dedicated to embedding lessons from this incident across all their services to prevent similar tragedies affecting other families in the future.
Tammy's family continue to mourn their profound loss while clinging to the hope that systemic changes within the NHS will emerge from their personal tragedy, potentially safeguarding other pregnant women from similar devastating outcomes.
