‘Beautiful’ mum dies with rotting organs after docs failed to do urine test – coroner warns ‘more women could die’

Credit: GB News A ‘BEAUTIFUL’ first-time mum died with rotting organs after medics failed to carry out a urine test at her final antenatal appointment. The test may have spotted that Gemma Robins, 30, was suffering from a rare and serious liver condition and gotten her admitted to hospital sooner. Gemma – described by her family as loyal, protective and caring – suffered from severe sickness throughout her pregnancy but became “acutely unwell” in the hours before she gave birth. She was rushed to Worthing Hospital’s A&E after being unable to keep any food or fluids down and underwent an emergency C-section. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! The data analyst, from Hove, never recovered after the birth and passed away on June 13, after spending 40 days in intensive care. She died of multi-organ failure, severe acute necrotising pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas – and acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP), a rare but life-threatening disease that can develop suddenly during pregnancy. Senior Coroner for West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Penelope Schofield, said the condition may have been spotted earlier if proper checks had been carried out at her 36-week antenatal appointment. During the check-up, which took place in April 2024, two days before Gemma gave birth, tests showed the mum had high blood pressure and her baby’s growth had slowed. Gemma also told medics that she couldn’t feel her baby moving. But her urine wasn’t tested for possible signs of pre-eclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy condition that can raise blood pressure and cause organ problems. Most read in Health WHAT IS AFLP? Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but serious condition that can occur in the third trimester of pregnancy. It happens because of problems with how the baby’s body processes fat, which affects the mother’s liver. This leads to fat collecting in the liver cells and liver damage. It affects approximately one in 20,000 pregnancies and is more common in first pregnancies, male babies, and twins. Symptoms to watch for: Feeling sick or vomiting Stomach pain Loss of appetite Feeling very tired Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) Feeling very thirsty If you notice any of these, see a doctor quickly. Early treatment is vital to protect both mother and baby. Source: British Liver Foundation Her blood pressure should have been tested a second time, which wasn’t done, an inquest into her death at Horsham Coroner’s Court heard. Ms Schofield concluded: “Gemma died from natural causes. “However, there was a missed opportunity at her antenatal appointment on April 23, 2024, to investigate possible pre-eclampsia. “Blood tests may have revealed abnormal liver function, which in turn may have led to an earlier admission to hospital. “However, it is not possible to say whether this would have prevented Gemma’s death.” The coroner said she would be issuing a ‘Prevention of Future Deaths’ report following the inquest – as reported by Brighton and Hove News – to ensure other mums-to-be received proper checks at antenatal appointments. She also noted that Gemma hadn’t been provided with adequate advice on dangerous symptoms to look out for at the check-up. Gemma was admitted to Worthing Hospital in the early hours of April 25 seriously unwell, with tests showing abnormal liver and kidney function. Her daughter was born by emergency C-section four hours later in very poor condition. Gemma was transferred to the ICU at Royal Sussex Hospital, Brighton, the following day. She remained critically ill in intensive care and was later diagnosed with necrotising pancreatitis – a severe, life-threatening complication of acute pancreatitis, where parts of the pancreas and surrounding tissues die due to a loss of blood supply and extreme inflammation. She also developed sepsis, liver dysfunction, kidney injury and problems with her C-section wound. On June 4, Gemma began bleeding internally. She was transferred to the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford – though this was delayed as Royal Sussex Hospital couldn’t get through to the specialist team at the Royal Surrey County Hospital for four hours. At Guildford, Gemma underwent emergency surgery but she passed away days later, after doctors concluded there was nothing more they could do. Gemma’s parents, Paul and Liza Robins, issued a joint statement through their lawyers at Leigh Day, saying: “Gemma was our beautiful daughter and had she been given the chance we are sure she would have made an incredible mother. “She brought so much warmth, laughter and kindness into the lives of everyone who knew her. “Gemma had a brilliant sense of humour and an ability to make people laugh without even trying. She loved animals, music, Disney and spending time with the people she cared about. “Nothing made Gemma happier than preparing for the arrival of her baby. “Despite how difficult her pregnancy became because of the constant sickness she experienced, she stayed excited about the future and spent months planning for motherhood. “She talked about all the things she hoped to do with her daughter and the memories they would make together. “Losing Gemma has left a void in our family that can never be filled. “We have been robbed of so many moments that should have been shared with her, and her daughter has been robbed of the opportunity to grow up knowing what an amazing mum she would have been.” They said the inquest into Gemma’s death had been “incredibly painful” but they were glad her care had been “fully examined”. “We hope the findings lead to meaningful lessons being learned so that women who raise concerns during pregnancy, or who show potential signs of serious complications, are properly listened to, thoroughly assessed and given the care they need,” the parents said. Ms Schofield said that she would be issuing a second ‘Prevention of Future Deaths’ report about the lack of communication between trusts prior to Gemma’s transfer. After the inquest, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust medical director Bill Jewsbury said: “I want to express my deepest condolences to Gemma’s family for their devastating loss.” “While we did everything we could for Gemma and the trust’s care was not subject to criticism, I recognise that communication between the hospitals presented challenges. “We are committed to improving this through embedding a new and more robust system.” Katie Urch, chief medical officer for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Sussex and Worthing Hospital, said: “Gemma’s loss is a tragedy and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. “While the coroner concluded Gemma sadly died of natural causes and that there were no omissions in her care that were likely to have changed the outcome for her, we note the intention to issue a prevention of future deaths report. “We will respond to this fully and as a matter of urgency and take all steps we can to continue improving the safety and quality of our care.” Comment now