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Infected mothers died naturally Infected mothers died naturally
(40 minutes later)
Two women who died from the same infection after giving birth at a Hampshire hospital died of natural causes, a coroner has recorded.Two women who died from the same infection after giving birth at a Hampshire hospital died of natural causes, a coroner has recorded.
Jasmine Pickett, 29, and Amy Kimmance, 39, gave birth at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester in 2007.Jasmine Pickett, 29, and Amy Kimmance, 39, gave birth at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester in 2007.
They died within 24 hours of each other from a group A streptococcal infection, days after being discharged.They died within 24 hours of each other from a group A streptococcal infection, days after being discharged.
Coroner Grahame Short said there was no evidence the infection was contracted at the hospital.Coroner Grahame Short said there was no evidence the infection was contracted at the hospital.
The two women both gave birth at the hospital on 21 December 2007, the inquests in Winchester heard.The two women both gave birth at the hospital on 21 December 2007, the inquests in Winchester heard.
Mrs Kimmance, who gave birth to a girl, Tessa, later died on 23 December.Mrs Kimmance, who gave birth to a girl, Tessa, later died on 23 December.
She had developed multiple organ failure caused by toxic shock syndrome from a group A streptococcal infection of the cervix, the inquest heard.She had developed multiple organ failure caused by toxic shock syndrome from a group A streptococcal infection of the cervix, the inquest heard.
Mrs Pickett, of Colden Common, who gave birth to a boy, Christopher, died the next day on 24 December.Mrs Pickett, of Colden Common, who gave birth to a boy, Christopher, died the next day on 24 December.
She died from multiple organ failure brought on by a sudden onset of severe pneumonia caused by group A streptococcal infection.She died from multiple organ failure brought on by a sudden onset of severe pneumonia caused by group A streptococcal infection.
John Kimmance gives his reactionJohn Kimmance gives his reaction
Mrs Kimmance's husband, John, said, after the verdict: "I now have a better understanding what happened to Amy.Mrs Kimmance's husband, John, said, after the verdict: "I now have a better understanding what happened to Amy.
"It will help me to explain to my three children how and why Amy died when they ask, as they do and as they will continue to do."It will help me to explain to my three children how and why Amy died when they ask, as they do and as they will continue to do.
"It is clear from the evidence that was given, we will never know how it came about why Amy became infected with group A strep."It is clear from the evidence that was given, we will never know how it came about why Amy became infected with group A strep.
"But having heard there was a raised level in the community at that time I have some sense of closure on that.""But having heard there was a raised level in the community at that time I have some sense of closure on that."
Mr Short said both infections were unlikely to have been directly caught from a member of staff at the hospital.Mr Short said both infections were unlikely to have been directly caught from a member of staff at the hospital.
'Virulent strain'
But he said they could have been indirectly caught from another patient, a visitor, a member of her family or someone in the local community.But he said they could have been indirectly caught from another patient, a visitor, a member of her family or someone in the local community.
It is unusual these days for fit and healthy young women who have given birth to die within days of delivery Coroner Grahame Short
During the inquest, the court heard the husband of Mrs Pickett, David, had himself suffered from infectious symptoms.During the inquest, the court heard the husband of Mrs Pickett, David, had himself suffered from infectious symptoms.
He tested positive for a streptococcal infection four days after his wife's death.He tested positive for a streptococcal infection four days after his wife's death.
The following day he began to show deteriorating symptoms including sore throat, muscle ache, fevers, lethargy and dry cough.The following day he began to show deteriorating symptoms including sore throat, muscle ache, fevers, lethargy and dry cough.
Solicitor Claire Fazan speaks after the inquest
But Mr Pickett told the inquest he had only begun to feel unwell on 27 December, after his wife's death.But Mr Pickett told the inquest he had only begun to feel unwell on 27 December, after his wife's death.
The inquest was also told that the community midwife Christine Craze and hospital registrar Dr Emma Torbe both tested positive for the streptococcal infection several days after the mothers' deaths.The inquest was also told that the community midwife Christine Craze and hospital registrar Dr Emma Torbe both tested positive for the streptococcal infection several days after the mothers' deaths.
Mr Short said: "It is unusual these days for fit and healthy young women who have given birth to die within days of delivery. Mr Short said: "It is unusual these days for fit and healthy young women who have given birth to die within days of delivery."
He said the infection was a common bacterium found in the community, which had been prevalent in the area in December 2007.He said the infection was a common bacterium found in the community, which had been prevalent in the area in December 2007.
"It was a particularly virulent strain that attacked both ladies and fortunately it is rare for the streptococcus to be quite so vehement," he added."It was a particularly virulent strain that attacked both ladies and fortunately it is rare for the streptococcus to be quite so vehement," he added.
Mr Short said he would write to the Health Protection Agency calling for national guidelines to be created for the management and investigation of such infections.Mr Short said he would write to the Health Protection Agency calling for national guidelines to be created for the management and investigation of such infections.